Objectives: This is an exploratory study to examine the relations among self-esteem, oral health behaviours and clinical oral health status in Chinese adults. In addition, gender differences in clinical oral health status and oral health behaviours were explored.

Methods: Participants were 192 patients from a private dental clinic in Hong Kong aged between 18 and 67 years. Prior to oral health examination, participants completed a questionnaire about their oral health behaviours and the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. A dentist and a registered dental hygienist examined their tooth condition and clinical oral health status.

Results: Participants with high self-esteem had better clinical oral health status than participants with low self-esteem despite no difference in their oral health behaviours. Male participants flossed less frequently than female participants but there was no difference in their clinical oral health status. Linear regression analyses showed that only self-esteem was, but gender, age, and tooth conditions were not, a significant predictor of clinical oral health status.

Conclusions: In general, Chinese adults in Hong Kong had satisfactory oral health behaviours. Chinese adults with high self-esteem had better clinical oral health status than those with low self-esteem. However, oral health behaviours did not differ by level of self-esteem. Implications for implementing psychosocial elements in oral health education were discussed.