Regular childhood dental visits, health-related factors and quality of life in later life

Abstract Purpose: To examine the relationship between regular childhood dental visits, and health status and quality of life in later life. Methods: Cross-sectional data from wave 7 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were used (n=2,368; mean age was 66.2 (SD: 9.1, ranging from 50 to 95 years). We focused on data from Germany. Health-related outcome measures (i.e. functional status, cognitive functioning, and self-rated health) were quantified using established tools. Quality of life was assessed using the well-recognized CASP-12. Results: In sum, 65.8% of the individuals had regular childhood dental visits. Multiple linear regressions showed that regular childhood dental visits were not associated with present functional status, cognitive functioning or with self-rated health. However, regular childhood dental visits were associated with better quality of life. Moreover, being married, tertiary education (reference: primary education) and not being obese were each associated with higher cognitive functioning, better self-rated health and better quality of life. Conclusion: Regular childhood dental visits were associated with better quality of life. Future studies are required to elucidate the underlying causes.