Methods: Prospective cohort study of a complete birth cohort born in 1972/73 in Dunedin, New Zealand, with personality characteristics measured at ages 18 and 26 (using the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire, or MPQ), self-rated oral health measured using (1) the OHIP-14 at age 32, and (2) a global measure at ages 26 and 32. The latter enabled allocation of participants to one of four global oral health change categories based on whether they considered themselves above or below average at each of ages 26 and 32. Dental examinations were conducted at ages 15, 18, 26 and 32. Data were analysed using negative binomial regression (for OHIP-14 scores) and logistic regression for the global measure.
Results: Complete data were available for 860 individuals. In bivariate analyses, strong associations were observed between the OHIP-14 score and the MPQ superfactor negative emotionality. In a multivariate model controlling for clinical oral status, the alienation (IRR = 1.27; 95% CI 1.08, 1.50) and stress reaction (IRR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.18, 1.64) traits were significant predictors of higher OHIP-14 scores. Logistic regression showed that, while negative emotionality predicted poorer age-32 self-rated oral health, no single trait was a significant predictor.
Conclusion: Personality characteristics appear to influence self-ratings of oral health. In other words, people with certain personality traits tend to rate themselves as less healthy.
Funded by the NZ HRC, and by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, grant DE015260.