Oral health‐related resources ‐ a salutogenic perspective on Swedish 19‐year‐olds

Abstract

The aim was to explore health-oriented resources among 19-year-olds and, specifically, how these resources interact with oral health-related attitudes and behavior. The participants were selected to represent individuals from various psychosocial environments, based on the geographical location of the Public Dental Service clinic at they were listed as patients in the county of Jönköping, Sweden. A structured questionnaire was distributed, including the instrument 'Sense of coherence', for description of the study group, followed by a semi-structured thematized interview. The qualitative method used for sampling and analyses was inspired by Grounded Theory. Data sampling and analysis were performed in parallel procedures and ended up in a sample of ten informants (five women). In the analysis of interview data a core category was identified, 'Resources of Wealth and Balance in Life Principal findingsThe results elucidate various internal and external recourses of importance for wealth and balance in life, fundamental for health oriented choices and with positive influence on attitudes and behaviors towards oral health. Practical implicationsThe findings contribute with a deeper understanding about personal and environmental health oriented resources interacting with oral health related attitudes and behaviors among adolescents and could thus be useful in clinical practice in order to promote oral health.4

Patient‐based outcomes and quality of life

“…The salutogenic approach, and in particular the concept of sense of coherence, is oriented more towards the causes of health rather than the causes of disease. 59 Both sense of coherence and the perceived susceptibility to periodontal disease were shown to be predictors of OHRQoL in a population epidemiological study of middle-aged women in Sweden, 21 while an intervention to increase sense of coherence in schoolchildren in Thailand led to improved gingival health and OHRQoL. 73 Qualitative research based on the grounded theory gave important insight in the psychosocial dynamic occurring during and after periodontal treatment.…”

Impact of Sense of Coherence on Oral Health Behaviors: A Systematic Review

“…[ 14 , 15 ] An individual’s behavior is the manifestation of several determinants such as psychosocial and environmental factors that can be influenced by the SOC concept. [ 16 , 17 ] This concept is considered as a practical model emphasizing the psychosocial aspect of oral health promotion rather than the risk of the disease. [ 3 ] SOC has also been considered as a psychosocial determinant of oral health behaviors in adults.…”

“…[ 3 ] SOC has also been considered as a psychosocial determinant of oral health behaviors in adults. [ 17 , 18 ] In other words, individuals who have a stronger SOC are more intended to attend regular dental check-ups, [ 16 ] clean their teeth more often, [ 19 ] and have healthier dietary habits [ 18 ] as compared to their counterparts who have lower levels of SOC. In addition, oral health perceptions as well as oral-health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of both children and adolescents are significantly affected by their parents' SOC.…”

The validity and reliability of the Sense of Coherence scale among Indian university students

“…The SOC is shown to have an association with adult oral health knowledge, attitude and behaviors (20)(21)(22), adult oral health parameters (23), adolescents' oral health, oral health-related behaviors and oral health-related quality of life (5,(24)(25)(26). The SOC may be an important approach for health promotion (3,6,27,28) and might have significant contributions to make toward oral health promotion (29,30). Suraj and Singh (31) have previously reported findings from a study among Indian graduate students in Chandigarh using the SOC-29 item questionnaire.…”