Impact of sense of coherence on oral health oral health related behaviour and oral health related quality of life among an adolescent population

Abstract

STUDY BACKGROUND: A psychosocial approach that has gained momentum in the last two decades is the Salutogenic theory. This concept highlight the capacity of psychosocial traits in promoting human health rather than causing the pathological conditions. Sense of coherence (SOC) is the main constituent of the Salutogenic theory. It evaluates the individualand#8223;s capability to use existing resources in order to overcome difficulties and cope with life stressors to perform healthy behavior and stay well. Thus, in people with a stronger SOC, there is a higher expectation for a superior health status and quality of life with fewer symptoms in case of existing illness. As most of the oral diseases are related to various behaviours and habits, which in turn, are influenced by the SOC. Thus, SOC has been considered as a psychosocial determinant of oral health behaviours among people of all age groups. It relies on the following three key competencies, i.e., comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness . These competencies have dynamic interactions among themselves. It means that people who have higher level of SOC are more capable of perceiving typical stress factors coming from their society and environment as non-stressors (comprehensibility). They are also able to efficiently utilize available resources to control stressful circumstances (manageability), and to cope with stressors by having more enthusiasm, intention, and dedication (meaningfulness). Thus, in people with a stronger SOC, there is a higher expectation for a superior health status and quality of life with fewer symptoms in case of existing illness.Conflicting reports regarding association of SOC with some oral health behaviours or Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among different age groups highlights the need of more studies, especially among Indian adolescent population. newlineAIM: The broad aim was to describe the distribution of SOC and its components among 12-15 years old school going adolescents and also, to analyse the association of SOC wi