Objective.

To assess the impact of the smile on oral health-related quality of life in adults, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Cartagena, Colombia.

Material and Methods.

Analytic Cross-sectional study in 389 subjects aged between 18 and 81 years using Census sampling. The sociodemographic variables were evaluated and the smile assessed , in two ways: Clinical Appearance: teethcolor and size, gums, lips, number of teeth, presence of caries, root fragments, use of dentures and Smile Satisfaction: through the Smile Perception Impact-related Quality of Life (SPIRQoL). Besides, the Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was evaluated through the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Univariate statistical analysis and multivariate analysis with Poisson regression models were used to associate the different clinical and sociodemographic factors with the outcome.

Results.

17,7% (CI 95% = 7,6 -13,8) showed dissatisfaction with their smile (SPIRQoL); the self-esteem was the most compromised domain; in the multivariate model, the rural origin had a negative impact on the smile perception measured by SPIRQoL (RR: 2,27; CI 95 %= 1,4-3,6; p=0,001), just like inadequate size teeth (RR: 10; CI 95 %= 3,12-32,1, p= 0.000), inadequate gums (RR: 2.4; CI 95 %= 1,3-4,3; p=0,004) and inadequate lips (RR: 2,5; CI 95 %=1,5-4,4; p=0,001). Smile dissatisfaction showed negative impacts on the OHRQoL measured with GOHAI (RR: 1,19; IC 95%= 1,2-1,4; p= 0,000).

Conclusion.

Smile dissatisfaction showed negative impacts on OHRQoL, in addition to the clinical inadequate appearance of teeth , gums and lips and being from rural origin.

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