Association of perceived quality of life and oral health among psychiatric outpatients

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between oral health and various aspects of quality of life has gone uninvestigated in psychiatric populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and subjective quality of life, perceptions about general health, and self-related variables. METHODS: A structured interview constructed from validated instruments was administered to 113 consumers attending outpatient psychiatric care. RESULTS: A lower perceived oral health-related quality of life had a correlation with decreased ratings of subjective quality of life, general health disabilities, and chance and internal locus of control. CONCLUSIONS: Correlations between subjective and general health-related quality of life and oral health-related quality of life had not been detected in this group before. In order to improve mental health consumers' total perceived quality of life, oral health problems should be regularly addressed in the course of psychiatric care