Factors associated with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of preschool children in Southern Brazil

Fernanda Ruffo Ortiz,Yassmín Hêllwaht Ramadan,Rubén Alberto Bayardo González,Thiago Machado Ardenghi

doi:10.1590/1981-863720160003000033254

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors and clinical conditions on the child oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL) of preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 547 children of 0-5-years-old from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, in 2013. Data were collect in the National Children's Vaccination Day Program by calibrated dentists. Clinical examinations assessed the prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma. Information about children's socioeconomic status was collected through a structured questionnaire answered by parents/caregivers. The COHRQoL was measured using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Multivariable Poisson regression models were performed to assess the association between clinical conditions, socioeconomic status and COHRQoL. Results: The prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma were 16.42 % and 22.49%, respectively. Higher means of the ECOHIS were found in older children, those with toothache and those whose mother had lower level of formal education. The clinical conditions that have been associated with negative impact on oral health related quality of life were experience caries (RR 4.12; 95% CI 3.10-5.46) and dental trauma (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01-1.86). Conclusion: Poor socioeconomic and clinical conditions had a negative impact on the COHRQoL, indicating the need of preventive strategies and policies aiming at improving the quality of life of this sample.

Highlights

The child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL) is a subjective measured of oral health influenced by environmental and clinical factors[1]
The clinical conditions that have been associated with negative impact on oral health related quality of life were experience caries (RR 4.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.10-5.46) and dental trauma (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01-1.86)
Poor socioeconomic and clinical conditions had a negative impact on the child oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL), indicating the need of preventive strategies and policies aiming at improving the quality of life of this sample

Summary

Introduction

The child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL) is a subjective measured of oral health influenced by environmental and clinical factors[1]. It is emphasized three dimensions - physical, mental and social - in the context of disease and has been increasingly used in oral health research. The measurement of COHRQoL outcomes has been gathered by means of questionnaires that were developed to assess physical and psychological symptoms, and life satisfaction[3]. In Brazil, the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) is the most commonly used questionnaire to measure the OHRQoL of preschoolers and their families[4]. There are studies demonstrating that children with oral disease, as dental caries, have toothache or discomfort, difficulty to eat, loss of appetite, sleep disruption, change in behavior and poor school performance[5,6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion