Psychosocial Ramifications of Perceived Dental Aesthetics: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes

Abstract

Background: A person's dental appearance does more than just affect their smile: it shapes their self-confidence, social connections, and overall sense of well-being. The current study was undertaken to investigate the potential link between the psychosocial consequences of dental aesthetics and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among medical students. Methods: This study was conducted with 184 medical students (103 females, Mean: 24.82 ± 1.58 years). Data were collected using two validated questionnaires: the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Data processing and analysis were carried out in SPSS (v. 26), using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlation tests, with a two-tailed significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Significant correlations were found between all psychosocial dimensions of dental aesthetics and OHRQoL (p < 0.05). Gender did not significantly affect these relationships, but age influenced dental self-confidence and social impacts. Students in advanced academic levels reported higher quality of life compared to junior students. The mean scores for PIDAQ dimensions were as follows: dental self-confidence (12.25 ± 4.77), social impact (5.89 ± 5.88), psychological impact (6.69 ± 5.29), and aesthetic concern (1.62 ± 2.14). The mean OHRQoL score was 12.50 ± 10.90. Conclusion: The findings indicate that satisfaction with dental appearance significantly influences quality of life and psychosocial well-being. However, due to the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, causal relationships cannot be established. Future longitudinal studies are needed to further explore these associations, and research should also investigate the potential benefits of combination therapies in addressing dental aesthetic concerns. Copyright © 2026 The Author(s); This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY-NC: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode.en)