Normative values for the oro-facial Esthetic Scale in Sweden

• Published in: Journal of oral rehabilitation Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 148 - 154
• Main Authors: Larsson, P., John, M. T., Nilner, K., List, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; aesthetics; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; appearance; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Esthetics, Dental - psychology; Face; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; normative values; norms; Oral Health; oro-facial aesthetics; Psychometrics - methods; Quality of Life; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires - standards; Sweden; Young Adult; Sweden; oral health; appearance; aesthetics; normative values; norms; oro-facial aesthetics
• ISSN: 0305-182X; 1365-2842; 1365-2842
• DOI: 10.1111/joor.12121

Summary This study reports the findings and challenges of the assessment of oro‐facial aesthetics in the Swedish general population and the development of normative values for the self‐reporting Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES). In a Swedish national sample of 1406 adult subjects (response rate: 47%), OES decile norms were established. The influence of sociodemographics (gender, age, and education), oral health status and general health status on OES scores was analysed. Mean ± standard deviation of OES scores was 50·3 ± 15·6 units (0, worst score; 70, best score); <1% of the subjects had the minimum score of 0, and 11% had the maximum score of 70 OES units. Orofacial Esthetic Scale score differences were (i) substantial (>5 OES units) for subjects with excellent/very good versus good to poor oral or general health status; ii) small (2 units), but statistically significant for gender (P = 0·01) and two age groups (P = 0·02), and (iii) absent for subjects with college versus no college education (P = 0·31) or with and without dentures (P = 0·90). To estimate normative values for a self‐reporting health status, instrument is considered an important step in standardisation, and the developed norms provide a frame of reference in the general population to interpret the Orofacial Esthetic Scale scores.