Jamieson, L.Brennan, D.Peres, M.Luzzi, L.Miller, C.Bowden, J.McCaffrey, N.2017-11-012017-11-012017Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 2017; 77(3):216-2240022-40061752-7325http://hdl.handle.net/2440/109270[Correction added on April 20, 2017 after online publication: two author names were changed from Marco Peres and Nikki McCaffery to Marco A. Peres and Nikki McCaffrey, respectively.]Objective: To explore whether having less than 21 teeth is associated with poorer general health in a representative population sample of South Australians. Methods: Data were from a cross-sectional state-based survey, conducted from September to December 2013. Complete data were available for 2,908 participants (58 percent response rate). General health-related quality of life (HrQOL), as measured by the EuroQol instrument (EQ-5D-5L), was the main outcome measure. Total disutility scores were calculated, with the five individual EQ-5D dimensions then dichotomized into “no problems” and “at least one problem.” The main explanatory variable was self-reported missing teeth, as assessed by having <21 teeth versus 211 teeth in a questionnaire. Results: Overall, disutility was low (0.09) (ranges from 0 to 1, with high scores indicating poorer general health). In multivariable analysis, total disutility was positively associated with older age, lower annual household income, lower levels of physical activity, being a current tobacco smoker, receiving mental health treatment and <21 teeth. When individual dimensions were considered, missing teeth remained significantly associated with mobility problems (PR 1.26, 95 percent CI 1.06, 1.50) and pain/discomfort (PR 1.16, 95 percent CI 1.06, 1.27). Conclusions: Missing teeth was associated with poor general health status as measured by EQ-5D-5L disutility. The relationship was especially evident with respect to mobility and pain/discomfort. The findings emphasize the importance of oral health as predictors of general health.en© 2017 American Association of Public Health DentistryEQ-5D-5LEQ-5Dpopulation surveyepidemiologymobilitypain/discomfortdisutilityphysical activityhealth-related quality of lifeadultsJournal article003006512310.1111/jphd.122000004088815000052-s2.0-85012267068287336Jamieson, L. [0000-0001-9839-9280]Brennan, D. [0000-0002-7888-0920]Peres, M. [0000-0002-8329-2808]Luzzi, L. [0000-0002-5450-6483]Miller, C. [0000-0001-9723-8047]Bowden, J. [0000-0003-1983-8930]McCaffrey, N. [0000-0003-3684-3723]