Method: Prospective cohort study of 495 adult employees of an automobile parts manufacturer unit in India. Measures of OHQoL (OHIP-14), general health perceptions (GHP) (CHS-9), overall QoL (LSS-5), individual factors [sense of coherence (SOC-13), social support (MSPSS-12), stress (PSS-4), oral health beliefs (OHBQ-18), subjective SES (MacArthur SES) and dental behaviours] and environmental factors [SES and social network (LSNS-6)] were collected at baseline and three months follow-up, together with a clinical examination at the baseline. Lagged analysis used hierarchical multiple regression models guided by the Wilson and Cleary model linking clinical variables to quality of life.
Result: The mean age of participants was 33.12 years (18-72) and 96% were males. The mean DMFT was 2.129. The model with all the key variables at baseline accounted for 16.2% of the variation in OHQoL at follow-up. Marital status, SOC, social support, stress, decayed teeth and missing teeth at baseline predicted OHQoL at follow-up. Baseline social network, marital status, SOC, stress and missing teeth predicted GHP at follow-up. Overall QoL at follow-up was predicted by occupation, social support, stress and subjective SES at baseline. These pathways will now be examined using structural equation modelling.
Conclusion: Clinical and psychosocial factors may determine OHQoL and GHP, while only psychosocial factors seem to predict overall QoL.