'See me for me': An intersectional approach exploring sexual and gender minority medical students' experiences of role models.

Oral health comprises a fundamental part of overall quality of life and well-being influencing their psychological, physical and social well-being. A key component of oral health is its direct effect on persons’ ability to speak, eat and socialize easily []. Among the numerous oral health condition Tooth Wear and consequential lesions have emerged as growing concerns specially among young adults. Tooth Wear refers to the loss of tooth structure due to attrition, abrasion and erosion leading to visible change in tooth morphology. Although often considered as a natural part of aging, severe or premature Tooth Wear lesions can lead to complications that significantly impact OHRQoL []. The concept of OHRQoL comprises the impact of oral health on different aspects of life including pain and discomfort, functional limitations, emotional and social well-being. Individuals having Tooth Wear and Tooth Wear lesions may experience exaggerated tooth sensitivity, impaired aesthetics and functional deterioration such as problem in chewing, speaking and maintaining proper oral hygiene. Tooth Wear can affect self-confidence, feelings of embarrassment and create social isolation further influencing the persons’ overall life satisfaction. Consequently, the relationship between Tooth Wear and OHRQoL is critical for creating a preventive and therapeutic strategies tailored to the needs of compromised individuals. Furthermore, the Tooth Wear is not only limited to older adults but the younger populations are also indulged with the symptoms of Tooth Wear, underscoring the need for immediate intervention approach. Prevalence of the Tooth Wear lesions among younger individuals further underscores the need for preventive intervention to avoid worst situation and associated complications. There is significant recognition of Tooth Wear and resulting lesions as important in oral health concerns, the limited research has explored their influence on a life quality. Most of the existing literature primarily focus on the clinical dimensions of the Tooth Wear such as its etiology, the diagnosis and treatment strategies with a minimal focus on its psycho-social implications. This void explores the need for comprehensive research that not only measures the severity and progression of Tooth Wear lesions but also examine their tremendous impacts on quality of life, particularly among undergraduate dental students. Lack of adherence of appropriate oral health behavior such as toothbrushing, flossing, use of mouthwash and regular dental visits was prevalent in young adults []. In addition, an inadequate level of oral health knowledge (the information about the occurrence and recommended actions of specific oral health issues) []. Evaluation of OHRQoL among undergraduate dental students was a point of interest for many researchers and dental educational institutions []. Comprehending the impact of Tooth Wear on the daily lives and well-being of these students will offer the valuable insights into how this condition shaping both their personal and are professional experiences while also guiding the development of more effective preventive and a management approaches. The prevalence of Tooth Wear among young adults has been reported to range from 20% to 45%, depending on diagnostic criteria and population []. For proper management of Tooth Wear, it’s diagnosis, etiology and risk factors must be evaluated. Studies to determine the prevalence Tooth Wear and associated risk factors can facilitate better assessment, planning of preventive measures and carry out treatment more effectively []. Cross-sectional study design was employed using convenience sampling technique involving 195 undergraduate dental students of Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences aged 18 and older who presented with at least one bilateral molar occlusal contact from December 20 2024 to November 6th, 2025. (I) Dental Students with visible Tooth Wear on specific surfaces such as incisal edge, occlusal surfaces, cervical areas, or palatal surfaces. (II) Aged 18 years or older (III) Have at least one bilateral molar occlusal contact (IV) Provide consent to participate. Participant exclusion criteria: I. Students with free-end posterior prosthesis were excluded from study.