Personality as a key driver of oral health behaviour: evidence from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort.

AIMS: The existing literature lacks sufficient evidence concerning the role of personality traits in oral behaviour and their effects on oral health status (dental plaque, and dental caries) and dental visits. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between personality traits and oral health behaviour (OHB) in the adult Finnish population.

METHODS

This study utilised data collected from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 individuals who participated in all the follow-ups (n = 1807). Data were collected during pregnancy and later during follow-ups conducted at 1 year, 7-8 years, 15-16 years and 33-35 years using questionnaires and clinical examinations. Oral health status and number of dental visits collected in the last follow-up were considered as dependent variables. The explanatory variables included personality traits, educational background, employment, annual income, and lifestyle choices. A recursive bivariate probit model was used to model oral health status (dental plaque, and dental caries) while considering dental care utilisation.

RESULTS

Personality traits were associated with OHB (accumulation of dental plaque and regular dental visits). Individuals with a high degree of openness had a 13% lower probability of having teeth with dental caries. Similarly, highly neurotic individuals had a 5% lower probability of having teeth with visible dental plaque and also had a higher probability of dental visiting.

CONCLUSIONS

Personality traits are associated with OHB among young adults Finns. Policies aimed at improving dental health education and mitigating common risk factors are essential to promote oral health.