Association between Sense of Coherence and Caries Activity and Caries Experience among Male Adolescents from Southern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: This cross-sectional study assessed the association between sense of coherence (SoC) and caries activity (number of active caries lesions) and caries experience (DMFT index) among 18-19-year-old male adolescents who joined the Brazilian Army as draftees for mandatory military service (n = 507).

Methods: Data collection included a questionnaire (level of education, family income, and tooth brushing frequency), the Brazilian short version of the SoC scale (SOC-13), and clinical caries examination (noncavitated/cavitated, inactive/active). The main predictor variable was SoC, categorized as low, moderate, or high. Poisson regression models were used for statistical analysis.

Results: A high SoC was significantly associated with a lower number of active lesions (adjusted rate ratio = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.74-0.98). No association between SoC and DMFT was detected.

Conclusion: A high SoC was found to be a protective factor to caries activity in this population.

Keywords: Adolescent; Cross-sectional study; Dental caries; Oral health; Sense of coherence.