Impact of personality traits on prosthodontic patients

Abstract

Determining oral health-related quality of life in elderly patients with removable prostheses who have increased difficulty in reporting oral issues is imperative for a successful rehabilitation. Aim: Our objective is to assess the extent to which a trace, or personality dimension, can influence oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in rehabilitated patients. Methods: 135 participants rehabilitated with removable prosthesis were evaluated in the Clinical Unit of Removable Prosthodontics of the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Porto University, Portugal. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire was applied to evaluate oral health-related quality of life, along with the Eysenck Personality Inventory (E.P.I.) to determine a personality trait. Statistical analysis was carried out using Mann-Whitney, Student's t-test, Spearman's rho and linear regression. Results: No statistical correlation was found concerning age, gender and oral health-related quality of life. Regarding the latter, the highest agreement was found on the question involving “pain in teeth”. The prevalence of acrylic partial dentures, as opposed to partial dentures with metallic framework, was substantially higher. No signi?cant association between both extraversion/neuroticism (E.P.I.) and oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14) upon rehabilitation with removable prostheses was found (p>0,05). In our study, personality traits neuroticism and extraversion did not influence oral health-related quality of life with removable prostheses. However, we should not overlook the importance of other psychological factors (such as motivation or perception) and their role in determining oral health-related quality of life. Conclusion: Personality traits “extraversion” and “neuroticism” did not influence oral health-related quality of life.