Abstract: ObjectiveTo understand the status of oral health-related quality of life and oral health awareness of urban and rural residents in Zhaoqiing City, so as to explore measures for oral health care. MethodsUrban and rural residents were selected in Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province using stratified random sampling method. The oral health effects scale (OHIP-14) and oral health awareness questionnaires were used for investigation and analysis. ResultsA total of 1 000 questionnaires were distributed and 967 valid questionnaires were returned, with an effective response rate of 96.7%. The respondents were aged from 18 to 76 years, of whom 53.4% (516/967) were youth group (18-44 years old). The male to female sex ratio was 1∶1.03. Of the respondents, 578 (59.8%) were urban residents and 389 (40.2%), township ones; 682 (70.5%) had education level at high school or below. The median OHIP-14 score was 12 (7, 18). The scores of OHIP-14 were significantly different between different ages, educational levels, and different regions (all P<0.01) .The average score of oral health cognition was (4.87±2.10). There were significant differences in the oral health cognition scores among different educational levels, regions, and age groups (all P<0.01). The correlation coefficient between OHIP-14 score and oral health awareness was -0.36 (P<0.05).ConclusionThe oral health-related quality of life of urban and rural residents in Zhaoqing and oral health awareness were relatively low. The oral health effect scores were negatively correlated with residents' awareness of oral health.