The Effect of Oral and Dental Health Status on the Self-Esteem Levels of Turkish University Youth

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of oral and dental health status on the self-esteem levels of Turkish university youth. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included a sample of 962 Turkish university youth, aged 16 - 24, who met all the study criteria during the 2020 - 2021 academic year. Data were collected using a questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The data were analyzed with SPSS version 23.0. T-tests were used for pairwise comparisons, and one-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. Results: Among the students who participated in the study, 56.7% were found to have high self-esteem, with a mean RSES score of 1.69 ± 1.62. Statistically significant differences were found between the RSES score and several factors, including decayed teeth (P < 0.01), presence of halitosis (P < 0.01), tooth color (P < 0.01), crooked teeth (P = 0.045), and toothache (P = 0.008). It was determined that dental crookedness, decayed teeth, bad breath, dark yellow teeth, the presence of tooth fillings, and extracted teeth were negatively associated with self-esteem. However, no statistically significant differences were found between self-esteem and factors such as the presence of tooth fillings, extracted teeth, tooth brushing habits, frequency of dental visits, or snack food consumption (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that poor oral care negatively impacts individuals' self-esteem. Issues related to oral and dental health, particularly concerning the appearance and condition of teeth, affect young people's relationships and self-confidence in social environments. It is crucial to develop family and school education programs, as well as national policies, particularly during childhood and university years, when attitudes toward oral and dental health are being established.