Assessing the Relationship Between the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics, Self-Esteem, and Dental Habits

TL;DR

This study explores how dental aesthetics affect self-esteem and dental habits among dental students, finding gender and academic level differences.

Contribution

The study identifies correlations between dental aesthetics, self-esteem, and dental habits in dental students, with insights on gender and academic level influences.

Findings

A negative correlation exists between dental aesthetics and self-esteem among dental students.

Female students reported higher aesthetic concerns, while male students had higher self-esteem.

Level 2 students showed higher self-esteem than Level 1 students.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Dental aesthetics has been shown to be associated with psychosocial functioning and self-perception, underscoring the importance of integrating psychosocial considerations into holistic patient care. This study assessed self-perceived dental aesthetics, self-esteem, and dental habits among dental medicine students in relation to socio-demographic factors and dental knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 172 students from the Dental Medicine Faculty in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, was conducted. The sample was divided into two groups, based on their prior education in dentistry: Level 1 students at the beginning of their studies, without any prior dental medicine experience, and Level 2 students with basic knowledge in the field of dentistry at the end of their preclinical years. After informed consent, participants completed the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and questions on oral hygiene and socio-demographics. Subscale and overall questionnaire scores were computed and statistically analysed using Pearson’s correlations and independent-samples t-tests to examine relationships among self-perceived dental aesthetics and self-esteem and differences between variables. Results: A negative correlation was found between the psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics and overall self-esteem scores (p = 0.006). Greater aesthetic concerns were associated with lower self-esteem (p = 0.003), although the magnitude of correlation was small. Female participants had higher social impact scores for dental aesthetics (p = 0.039), whereas male students reported higher self-esteem (p = 0.047). Students from Level 2 group presented higher self-esteem than Level 1 (p = 0.016). Regarding oral hygiene, a small but statistically significant association was found between dental flossing frequency and aesthetic concern scores (p = 0.044). Additionally, individuals who frequently attended dental check-ups reported a more favourable self-image. Conclusions: Self-perceived dental aesthetics correlates with self-esteem among dental students, varying by gender and academic level. The Dental Self-Confidence subscale of the PIDAQ had the greatest perceived impact, underscoring the importance of self-image for dental students’ psychological and social well-being. Dental flossing and regular dental consultations appear to be linked to improved self-perceived dental aesthetics.

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