Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dental caries, traumatic dental injuries (TDI), toothaches, and malocclusion on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the families of Brazilian preschool children. A population-based, matched case-control study involving 415 pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years was conducted. The case (impact on OHRQoL) and control groups (no impact on OHRQoL) were matched for age, gender, and family income at an 1:4 ratio. Impact on the OHRQoL of a family was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). Dental caries, TDI, and malocclusion were diagnosed by three calibrated dentists (Kappa: 0.85-0.90). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and conditional logistic regression analysis (p ≤ 0.05; 95%CI). There were no differences between the cases and controls regarding age, gender, and family income (p > 0.05). The most frequent responses on the B-ECOHIS among cases were "felt guilty" (68.6%) and "been upset" (48.2%). The following variables were significantly associated with negative impacts on family OHRQoL (cases): caries severity (OR = 6.680; 95%CI = 2.731-16.349), a history of toothache (OR = 2.666; 95%CI = 1.492-4.765), parental rating of the child's oral health as poor (OR: 1.973; 95%CI = 1.072-3.634), and parent's/caregiver's age (OR = 2.936; 95%CI = 1.077-3.478). Anterior open bite was positively associated with OHRQoL (OR = 4.050; 95%CI = 1.333-12.314). Caries severity, a history of toothache, parental rating of the child's oral health as poor, and younger parents/caregivers were associated with impact on the OHRQoL of the families of preschoolers.
Highlights
Parents/caregivers play a central role in ensuring the wellbeing of young children and are usually responsible for making decisions regarding matters affecting their child’s health.[1,2] it is important to assess the impact of oral health issues in children on the quality of life of their families because illness and injury can affect the emotional wellbeing of families and, the child’s use of dental services and the promotion of their oral health.[1,3,4]Braz
Investigations have shown that oral health problems such as dental caries, traumatic dental injury (TDI), toothache, and malocclusion in children can have negative consequences on the family, such as feelings of guilt, irritation, financial problems, and loss of time and workdays for parents/caregivers. 5,6,7,8 most of these studies jointly evaluated impacts on the child and family 9,10 or focused only on specific consequences such as parental guilt.[7,8]
The presence of anterior open bite was a protective factor for family impact (Table 2)
Summary
Parents/caregivers play a central role in ensuring the wellbeing of young children and are usually responsible for making decisions regarding matters affecting their child’s health.[1,2] it is important to assess the impact of oral health issues in children on the quality of life of their families because illness and injury can affect the emotional wellbeing of families and, the child’s use of dental services and the promotion of their oral health.[1,3,4]Braz. Investigations have shown that oral health problems such as dental caries, traumatic dental injury (TDI), toothache, and malocclusion in children can have negative consequences on the family, such as feelings of guilt, irritation, financial problems, and loss of time and workdays for parents/caregivers. 5,6,7,8 most of these studies jointly evaluated impacts on the child and family 9,10 or focused only on specific consequences such as parental guilt.[7,8] A focused examination of the impact on family would contribute to a deeper understanding of this issue and support health interventions. No matched case-control study has focused on factors associated with the impact of oral health problems in preschool children on the quality of life of their families
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