LIMITATIONS IN DAILY ACTIVITIES DUE TO ORAL PROBLEMS IN TEACHERS WITH ANXIETY

Oral health plays a crucial role in quality of life and can directly impact individuals' physical, social, and psychological aspects. Among education professionals, oral health issues related to disorders such as anxiety can influence work performance and the performance of daily activities. This study sought to assess the limitation in performing daily activities caused by oral problems in teachers from the public education system in Minas Gerais who were diagnosed with anxiety. This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, and analytical study, conducted in the form of a web survey with teachers working in public elementary schools. Data collection was carried out between October and December 2021 through an online form. Descriptive and bivariate analyses of the data were conducted using SPSS software, and the study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. A total of 1,907 teachers participated in the survey. Among the participants, 81.8% reported not having difficulties in performing daily activities due to problems related to teeth, mouth, or dentures, while 38.6% were identified as anxious. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between anxiety and difficulties in daily activities related to oral problems. Teachers who frequently faced these difficulties had higher percentages of anxiety, with 90.5% among those who reported repeated difficulties and 75.0% among those who always faced such problems. It was concluded that there is a significant association between limitations in daily activities resulting from oral problems and the presence of anxiety in public school teachers in Minas Gerais. These findings reinforce the importance of interventions aimed at the oral and mental health of these professionals, with a view to promoting better quality of life and work performance.