Relationship between oral health and depression: data from the National Health Survey

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the relationship between oral health status, self-perception of oral health, and depression. Methods This cross-sectional study included 2953 individuals that were ≥ 18 years of age and participated in the Chilean National Health Survey (NHS), 2016–2017. Information on oral, dental, and mental health, and the presence or absence of depressive symptoms was collected. Secondary data analysis was carried out using STATA and included logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, and educational level. All expansion factors were taken into consideration. Results Participants experiencing frequent dental or prosthesis-related discomfort while eating (odds ratios (OR): 1.58; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.99–2.54) or speaking (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.01–2.43) were at a higher risk of exhibiting suspected depression compared to those who did not experience these difficulties. The odds (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.65–2.16) of having been diagnosed with depression in the past 12 months were also higher among participants experiencing frequent dental or prosthesis-related discomfort. Removable upper denture users were at a higher risk of exhibiting suspected (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.11–3.74) compared to those that did not use them. Participants diagnosed with depression in the past 12 months had a slightly lower number of teeth (median = 24) compared to those without depression (median = 25), although this difference was not statistically significant (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.96–1.02). Conclusion Experiencing dental or prosthesis-related difficulties in in eating, speaking, and social interactions is associated with an increased risk of suspected depression or a diagnosis of depression. These findings highlight the importance of developing comprehensive healthcare approaches that consider mental health in the context of oral health.