Mediating Effect of Perceived Oral Health on the Relationship between Depression, Perceived Health, and Chewing Difficulty in Korean Adults: Using the 2020 Community Health Survey Data

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the influence of perceived health and depression in Korean adults on chewing difficulty, using the 2020 community health survey data, and to verify the mediating effect of perceived oral health. Methods: An electronic survey was conducted by trained investigators between August 16 and October 31, 2020, among adults aged 19 years or older. The research tool investigated depression, perceived health, perceived oral health, and chewing difficulty. Results: 1. Depression (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) was found to have an effect on chewing difficulty, while perceived oral health (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) showed a partially mediating effect on the relationship between depression and chewing difficulty. 2. Perceived health (β = 0.19, p < 0.001) was found to have an effect on chewing difficulty. In the relationship between perceived health and chewing difficulty, perceived oral health (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) was shown to have a partial mediating effect. Conclusions: It is necessary to expand oral health policy to improve the masticatory function of adults and to expand oral health education to prevent the decrease in masticating function in advance.