The Oral-Endocrine Interface: Clinical Oral Health Burden, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, and Psychosocial Determinants in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Evidence for Cross-Disciplinary Prevention.

Background: This study compared oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and age-matched healthy controls and identified psychosocial and lifestyle determinants of oral health outcomes. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 72 women aged 18-45 years (36 PCOS, 36 controls) from a gynecology outpatient department, with PCOS confirmed using 2003 Rotterdam criteria. Oral health was assessed using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and gingival bleeding score. OHRQoL, psychological stress, and lifestyle quality were measured using Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), four-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and eight-item Health Practice Index (HPI-8), respectively. Analysis included Mann-Whitney Results: Both groups were sociodemographically comparable. PCOS women had significantly higher DMFT scores (median 4.00 vs. 1.50; Conclusion: Women with PCOS demonstrated significantly poorer oral health and reduced OHRQoL than healthy controls, with perceived psychological stress independently associated with OHRQoL within the PCOS subgroup. These associations are exploratory findings that require confirmation in larger longitudinal studies. Pending such confirmation, the findings support consideration of oral health assessment and psychosocial screening as components of multidisciplinary PCOS management, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2025/07/090714.