Oral health is a multifaceted and changeable part of our overall health and well-being as it contributes to important everyday functions such as eating, talking, and conveying feelings. Our oral health can be affected by a range of determinants, one of which is obstructive sleep apnea [OSA] treated with continuous positive airway pressure [CPAP]. Even though xerostomia has been frequently reported upon, the possible relationship between oral health and CPAP-treated OSA is not clearly understood. The World Dental Federation [FDI] recently proposed a definition and theoretical framework of oral health, intended to be globally applicable and to move dentistry toward a more promotive approach. By using the FDI’s framework as a basis for exploration, studies in a general population can increase the understanding of different aspects of oral health and set the frame of reference for whether and how CPAP-treated OSA can be experienced to affect a person’s oral health.

The overall aim of this thesis was to gain a deeper understanding of how the FDI’s theoretical framework of oral health can be applied in a general population and how oral health is experienced in a specific population of persons with increased risk for adverse oral health.

The FDI’s framework was explored with empirical data from a general population (N=630) and a population of persons with experience of CPAP-treated OSA (N=18). In papers I and II, the FDI framework was tested and evaluated with quantitative methods (principal component analysis and structural equation modeling), using cross-sectional data from the Jönköping studies. In papers III and IV, qualitative methods (directed content analysis and critical incident technique) were used where personal views and experiences were explored using individual semi-structured interviews.

The findings in paper I showed that factors such as dental caries, periodontal disease, experience of xerostomia, and aesthetic satisfaction can be included in the FDI’s component the core elements of oral health. In paper II, driving determinants and moderating factors were found to have direct effects on all core elements of oral health except aesthetic satisfaction. Three of the core elements of oral health (oral health-related quality of life, aesthetic satisfaction, and xerostomia) had direct effects on the latent variable overall health and well-being. Driving determinants and moderating factors had no direct effect on overall health and well-being, and no indirect effects were found. In paper III, the study participants’ views on oral health determinants were described and could be categorized into all the FDI framework dimensions. The component driving determinants could include a range of determinants affecting a person’s oral health such as CPAP treatment, age, the influence of family and social surroundings, interdental cleaning, willingness to change when needed, and relationship with oral healthcare professionals. In paper IV, the study participants described both negative and positive experiences occurring with or without their CPAP. The negative experiences included increased xerostomia, pain or discomfort, tooth wear, and negative feelings. The positive experiences included decreased xerostomia and improved oral health habits due to improved sleep. Many of the difficulties could be managed by easily accessible facilitators. The experiences the study participants described could be included in all the FDI framework components.

In conclusion, the FDI’s framework can be applied in a general population to describe different components of oral health, and is also useful to describe a person’s views and experiences of oral health in a specific population. CPAP treatment could be considered an oral health determinant as it can affect a person’s oral health. Both positive and negative experiences can contribute to CPAP adherence as negative experiences often can be successfully managed.