Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) in edentulous patients with 
complete dentures is often impaired. This paper investigates the effect of 
different coping styles on OHRQOL.
PURPOSE: (a) To assess OHRQOL of edentulous patients with conventional complete 
dentures, and (b) to investigate if individual differences in these patients' 
styles of coping with stress affect their OHRQOL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 249 fully edentulous patients 
with complete dentures (mean age: 66.0 years) who responded to a mailed survey 
(adjusted response rate: 48.8%). OHRQOL was measured with the 14-item short form 
of the oral health impact profile (OHIP). Ratings of coping strategies were 
obtained using the 28-item Brief COPE, an instrument measuring various styles of 
coping with stress. Linear regression analyses were used to explore the 
relationships between coping styles, background variables such as age, gender, 
income, and age of prosthesis, and the patients' OHRQOL.
RESULTS: About 35% of the respondents reported impacts from their oral 
conditions on their overall OHRQOL (OHIP-14 total score) occasionally, fairly 
often, or often. Physical pain was even more prevalent, with 53.3% of the 
respondents reporting pain impacts. The linear regression model (P < 0.0001) 
explained 31.1% of the variation in the OHIP-14 total score. The coping 
variables instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, substance abuse, 
denial, and religion were significant negative predictors of OHRQOL. Only 
emotional support was a significant positive predictor of OHRQOL.
CONCLUSION: Wearing conventional complete dentures has a significant impact on 
OHRQOL. This impact is moderated by the styles a patient uses to cope with 
stress. Using emotional support has a positive effect on OHRQOL, while other 
coping styles, namely instrumental support, behavioral disengagement, substance 
abuse, denial, and religion are significant negative predictors of OHRQOL.