Oral health perceptions among elite athletes and elite para-athletes: psychosocial impacts, sports performance

Aims To compare perceived oral health status, psychosocial and performance impacts among national elite para-athletes (EP) and elite athletes (EA). Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study was conducted using purposive sampling of EP and EA at the National Sports Institute, Malaysia. A validated questionnaire adapted from the Oral Health Screening Toolkit for Athletes (University College London) was administered from February 2022 to February 2024. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially. Results Participation involved 57 EP and 57 age- and sex-matched EA. Perceived oral health was positive in 40 (70.1%) EP and 35 (61.4%) EA, with more perceiving their general health positively. Perceived general or oral health showed no significant differences across groups. Psychosocial impacts were comparable, but EA reported significantly greater performance-related impacts (mean difference = 7.84, p = 0.019). Stronger correlations between perceived oral and general health were observed in EA. Conclusion Accessible, athlete-specific oral healthcare is needed to support wellbeing and performance in both groups. The higher performance-related impacts among EA may reflect sport-specific physical demands and psychosocial factors.