Predictive value of dental readiness and psychological dimensions for oral health-related quality of life in Croatian soldiers: a cross-sectional study

AIM To determine the predictive value of dental readiness and psychological dimensions for oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Croatian soldiers. METHODS The sample consisted of 402 consecutive soldiers aged 21 to 54 years classified into the following groups according to dental readiness: Class 1 - not requiring dental treatment (N=54), Class 2 - unlikely to need emergency treatment within 12 months (N=205), and Class 3 - very likely to need treatment within 12 months (N=143). OHRQoL was assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile and psychological dimensions by the Brief Symptom Inventory and Dental Anxiety Scale. RESULTS Multivariate analysis showed that Class 3 soldiers had higher frequency of psychological discomfort, psychological disability, and physical pain and handicap than Class 1 soldiers (P=0.019). Multiple linear regression showed that longer military experience, higher level of dental anxiety, and dental unreadiness were significant predictors of lower OHRQoL (P<0.050) but accounted for low variability. None of the single psychological symptomatic dimensions was a significant predictor of OHRQoL. CONCLUSION Although this study found a moderate association between OHRQoL and clinical, military, demographic˝, and psychological variables, the significant predictors could be used as a basis for further research of clinical and psychosocial factors of OHRQoL.