Oral Health and Well-Being in Aboriginal Young Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Jamieson Lisa M, Paradies Yin C, Gunthorpe Wendy, Cairney Sheree J, Sayers Susan M
Primary Institution: Australian Research Center for Population Oral Health, The University of Adelaide
Hypothesis
This study sought to investigate associations between oral health-related factors and social and emotional well-being in a birth cohort of young Aboriginal adults.
Conclusion
The results suggest there may be value in including oral health-related initiatives when exploring the role of physical conditions on Indigenous social and emotional well-being.
Supporting Evidence
- Poor oral health-related items were associated with each of the social and emotional well-being domains.
- Anxiety was linked to being female and having decayed teeth.
- Resilience was associated with being male and having a job.
- Depression was linked to dental pain and substance use.
- Discrimination was a common factor associated with poor mental health outcomes.
Takeaway
This study found that taking care of your teeth can help you feel better emotionally, especially for young Aboriginal adults.
Methodology
Data were collected on social and emotional well-being and oral health-related factors from a birth cohort of Indigenous Australians using validated tools and dental examinations.
Potential Biases
Self-reporting may introduce social desirability bias and recall bias.
Limitations
The study was not originally designed to examine the relationship between social and emotional well-being and oral health, and self-reported data may lead to under-estimation of factors.
Participant Demographics
Participants were young Aboriginal adults from the Northern Territory of Australia.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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