Oral health and self-perceived job readiness among socially disadvantaged and unemployed citizens

• Main Authors: Anna Munk Sigsgaard (Author), Steffen Altmann (Author), Katrine Dannemand Jensen (Author), Børge Hede (Author), Esben Boeskov Øzhayat (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Medical Journals Sweden, 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objective: The aims of this article are (1) to evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-perceived job readiness and (2) to investigate changes in self-perceived job readiness following an oral health promotion intervention. Materials and methods: The first aim was elucidated in a cross-sectional design, and the second through a prospective intervention study. A survey was administered among 273 unemployed vulnerable people in Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants were randomised to either control or intervention in 2018, and follow-up was conducted 7-15 months later. The intervention entailed support for dental care. OHRQoL was measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and self-perceived job readiness was measured using the Employability Indicator Project (BIP) questionnaire. Results: The sample reported a high mean OHIP-14 score at baseline (26.9, SD 15.6) and poor OHRQoL was significantly associated with low self-perceived job readiness (rs = -0.15, p = 0.02). The control group reported better job readiness at follow-up compared to the intervention group. However, the effect sizes were small in both groups and no clear pattern was observed. Conclusions: The results indicate that OHRQoL is linked to self-perceived job readiness. However, the oral health promotion applied in this study did not lead to better self-perceived job readiness. Further research is needed on the effect of oral health promotion interventions on job readiness within socially vulnerable groups.

Item Description

10.2340/aos.v83.42077
0001-6357
1502-3850