Self- confidence and satisfaction with dental appearance among adolescents in rural areas of Nagpur division: A cross-sectional study

• Author Details:   
• Aditi Wasule ^*
• Darshan Dakshindas
• Manjusha Warhadpande
• Sulabha Radke
• Shubha Hegde

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Background: Dental aesthetics can be negatively affected by irregularities in the oral cavity, and satisfaction levels often vary by age and gender. Assessing dissatisfaction with current aesthetic conditions and preferred treatment options can help guide the development of targeted strategies to improve aesthetic outcomes.

Materials and Methods: The research was a cross-sectional study involving adolescent students from rural schools in the Nagpur division, conducted over three months from December 2023 to March 2024. Data was collected using standardized questionnaires assessing the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics (PIDAQ). Responses were compiled in an MS Excel spreadsheet for statistical analysis.

Results: The study found that tooth color (38%) was the main concern for participants regarding dental aesthetics, followed by teeth size (26%), lip shape (15%), arrangement of teeth (13%), and gingival color and positioning (8%). Male participants reported significantly higher dissatisfaction than females, particularly in tooth color (52.6% vs. 28.1%) and tooth size (31.6% vs. 20%), suggesting gender differences in aesthetic valuation. Participants with an average financial status reported significantly higher satisfaction with their appearance compared to those with a low financial status (high = average > low). Another factor influencing participants' satisfaction was their father's level of education; as the father's educational attainment increased, adolescents felt their teeth were more attractive.

Conclusion: Adolescent dissatisfaction with dental aesthetics is influenced by a combination of personal, sociocultural, and economic factors, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve self-perception

Keywords: Self-confidence, Dental Appearance, Adolescents, Psycho-social effect