Table 4 Total, natural direct and indirect effects of parental SES on poor subjective oral health (n = 6703)

School type at age 16 years

1.99 [1.58, 2.81]*

1.27 [1.15, 1.40]*

1.92 [1.51, 2.43]*

42.8 [22.6, 62.6]*

Highest qualification

1.99 [1.60, 2.51]*

1.24 [1.10, 1.41]*

1.88 [1.47, 2.43]*

38.9 [19.3, 68.6]*

Institution status

1.99 [1.62, 2.60]*

1.36 [1.16, 1.58]*

1.72 [1.34, 2.22]*

53.2 [27.3, 83.1]*

Field of study

1.99 [1.52, 2.45]*

1.30 [1.12, 1.52]*

1.72 [1.33, 2.18]*

46.5 [22.2, 84.2]*

Age left full-time education

1.99 [1.59, 2.48]*

1.24 [1.04, 1.55]*

1.70 [1.28, 2.21]*

38.4 [6.9, 80.7]*

All mediators jointly

1.99 [1.61, 2.51]*

1.68 [1.32, 1.98]*

1.75 [1.39, 2.22]*

81.1 [48.1, 116.3]*