Influence of dental caries spectrum on happiness and life satisfaction among adult dental patients – A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Consequences of poor oral health play a vital role in determining the subjective well-being of an individual. This study aimed to assess and correlate oral health status with subjective happiness and life satisfaction among adult dental patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adult dental patients to determine the influence of dental caries spectrum on happiness and life satisfaction. The demographic data, socioeconomic status (SES) based on B.G. Prasad’s scale, were collected. Survey was a self-administered questionnaire which deployed two scales: (i) A 4-item questionnaire graded on 7-point Likert scale to measure subjective happiness and (ii) a 5-item scale on a 7-point Likert scale to measure satisfaction with life scale. Clinical oral examination was recorded using the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Index. Results: Subjects aged below 35 years were less happy, 136 (53.5%) and highly satisfied with life, 130 (62.2%). Whereas, above 35-year population showed more happiness (46.5%) and most dissatisfied life, 85 (53.6%) which was statistically significant ( P = 0.009). Males 90 (57.1%) were less happy and dissatisfied than females. Logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant difference for SES, happiness scale, and life satisfaction scale ( P = 0.000, 0.011, and 0.000, respectively); a higher odds of dental caries were seen among group 3 of SES (odds ratio [OR] = 3.510) and subjects with less happy (OR = 2.7) and dissatisfied life (OR =2.9). Conclusion: In this study, an association with dental caries was revealed; the presence of caries lesions accounted for significantly less happiness and higher dissatisfaction among the study subjects.