The relationship between tooth loss and psychological factors.

OBJECTIVES

Limited evidence is available regarding mutual interactions between psychological factors and tooth loss. This study aimed to investigate the association between these two issues.

METHOD

In this 2011 cross-sectional study we obtained data from 4,585 adults who had completed information in 20 counties across Isfahan province, Iran, regarding tooth loss and psychological factors (depression, anxiety and stress level). To analyse the data ANOVA and multiple ordinal regression were applied.

RESULTS

After adjusting socio demographic factors, the association between depression (OR 1.23; 95% CI = 1.01,1.49), anxiety (OR 1.19; 95% CI = 1.03,1.38), and high stress level (OR 95% CI = 1.19; 1.01,1.39) remained significant.

CONCLUSION

We confirm the interaction between psychological factors and tooth loss, but recommend further studies on a national Iranian population.