Analysis of the current status and influencing factors of oral health-related quality of life in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances from the perspective of self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between self-efficacy and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances, and to identify relevant demographic, behavioral, and psychological factors.

METHODS

A convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 200 patients attending follow-up visits in the orthodontics department of a tertiary dental hospital in Guangzhou. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), the Oral Management Self-Efficacy Scale (OMSES), and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the associations among oral health-related quality of life, orthodontic self-efficacy, and dental anxiety in patients with fixed appliances. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the factors associated with oral health-related quality of life in this patient population. A total of 223 questionnaires were distributed, and 200 valid responses were obtained, resulting in an effective response rate of 89.69%.

RESULTS

The mean OHIP-14 score among patients with fixed appliances was 17.83 ± 8.10, with the highest subscale score observed in the domain of psychological discomfort (1.71 ± 0.87). The mean self-efficacy score was 125.40 ± 9.93. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between self-efficacy and OHRQoL (r = - 0.221, P < 0.01), and a significant positive correlation between dental anxiety and OHRQoL (r = 0.338, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis further confirmed that self-efficacy (β = - 1.165, P < 0.05) and dental anxiety (β = 0.335, P < 0.001) were both significant predictors of OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION

The oral health-related quality of life among patients with fixed appliances was moderate, suggesting that further improvement is achievable. Healthcare providers should consider implementing self-efficacy-focused interventions to improve oral health outcomes and enhance quality of life throughout orthodontic care.