Self-perceived Satisfaction with Dental Appearance and Associated Factors among Secondary School Students in Iringa, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Oral health is not only the absence of oral ailments and dysfunctions but also includes other components that influence a person’s social life like satisfaction with one’s dental appearance and beauty. This study was done to determine the self‑perceived satisfaction with dental appearance and associated factors among secondary school students in Iringa, Tanzania. Methods: This descriptive cross‑sectional study was done in the Kilolo district of the Iringa region on the southern highlands of Tanzania. It involved students from four private and four government secondary schools. A self‑administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding students’ perceptions of their teeth and satisfaction with their dental appearance. Data were entered in a computer program SPPS version 23.0 for analysis. Frequency distribution of different variables was generated, the association between variables was assessed by the Chi‑square test, the P value was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 787 participants were included, of which 410 (52.9%) were female and the male/female ratio was 1:1.1. The age range was 15–21 years (mean 16.64 ± 1.35 years). Only 27% of the students perceived their dental appearance to be good. About 39% of the students were satisfied with their general dental appearance. There was a statistically significant association between students level of perception of their dental appearance and level of satisfaction with dental appearance Conclusion: The level of self‑perceived satisfaction with dental appearance was low among the study participants. The students’ self‑perceived dental appearance influenced their satisfaction with their dental appearance, unlike factors such as age and sex. Self‑satisfaction with dental appearance had a significant impact on the social life of the participants.