David Brennan

Objectives This study aimed to estimate the effects of positive personality traits (PTs) in income and self‐rated dental and general health (SRDH and SRGH) associations in a large South Australian sample. Methods Cross‐sectional analyses were conducted using self‐reported data collected from 3578 adults (2015–2016). Multivariable regression models assessed the main effects and interactions of the Ten‐Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and income with SRDH and SRGH. Prevalence ratios (PR) of poor health ratings were estimated using Poisson regression. Results Among all respondents, high‐income individuals with stronger Conscientiousness scores had the lowest prevalence of poor SRGH (0.8%), while those with stronger Extraversion (2.9%) and Agreeableness scores (3.4%) had the lowest prevalence of poor SRDH. Poor SRGH was related to weak Conscientiousness (PR = 6.9, 95% CI [2.3–20.8]) and Emotional Stability scores (PR = 6.0, 95% CI [2.0–18.3]), while poor SRDH was associated with weak Extraversion (PR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.2–4.5]), Agreeableness (PR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.0–3.2]) and Conscientiousness scores (PR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.1–4.0]). Among low‐income people, poor health ratings were less prevalent in those with stronger positive PTs scores versus weaker scores. Among low‐income respondents, poor SRGH was lower in individuals with stronger versus weaker Conscientiousness scores (10.9% vs 16.2%), and poor SRDH showed lower prevalence in participants with stronger versus weaker Agreeableness scores (18.1% vs 22.6%). Conclusion Findings showed the association between PTs and the prevalence of poor SRDH and SRGH. Stronger positive PTs modified the self‐rated health inequalities associated with low income in a representative sample of the South Australian population.

Background This paper investigated the associations between oral health with behavioural, demographic, periodontitis risk, financial and access to dental care barriers and compared the results in three Australian regional areas. Methods Data were obtained from the Australian National Study of Adult Oral Health (2017–18). Oral health status was measured using DMFT‐score, and mean numbers of decayed, missing or filled teeth and periodontitis prevalence using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Periodontal Classification. The analysis included these dependent variables by three regional areas, seven socio‐demographic variables, two periodontal disease risk factors, two preventive dental behaviours, two barriers to dental care and three access to dental care variables. Results Of the 15,731 people interviewed, 5,022 were examined. There was no significant difference in periodontitis prevalence between the regions. All the socio‐demographic characteristics, periodontal disease risk factors and preventive dental behaviours were significantly associated with at least one of the dental caries indicators. In multivariable analysis, there was no significant association between regional location with any of the four clinical dental caries variables. Conclusion Poorer oral health outside major cities was associated with household income, education level, higher smoking, usual reason for and frequency of dental visiting.