Factors Associated with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among First-Year Students in the Academic Year 2567, Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey aimed to examine the factors associated with oral health-related quality of life among 271 first-year students at Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Phitsanulok, in the academic year 2024. The study found that students had a moderate level of oral health care behavior (58.30%) and experienced wisdom tooth pain (62.40%). The average number of decayed teeth was 5.38 per person, missing teeth 0.20 per person, filled teeth 2.74 per person, and a combined total of decayed, missing, and filled teeth of 8.31 per person. Regarding oral health-related quality of life, 93.00% of students were at a high level. For the factors associated with oral health-related quality of life, it was found that oral health care behavior and experience of wisdom tooth pain were significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life (P-value = 0.008 and 0.029, respectively). Based on the findings of this study, educational institutions should promote student access to dental services and provide comprehensive oral public health education to enable them to properly care for their oral health.