Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of malocclusion on the quality of life (QOL) of adolescents in Brazil. We carried out a cross-sectional study in a sample population of 1015 schoolchildren aged 12 to 15 years from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. The explanatory variable was malocclusion, evaluated on the basis of the normative need or the adolescent’s self-perceived need for dental treatment. Normative need for dental treatment was determined by professional diagnosis, made on the basis of Angle’s classification, the Dental Aesthetic Index, and other morphological deviations (e.g., posterior crossbite, posterior open bite, and deep overbite). We analyzed the impact of malocclusion on the QOL using the Portuguese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Associations were estimated by using the prevalence ratio (PR) in Poisson regression analysis, with hierarchized modeling. An alpha of 5% was adopted as the criterion for statistical significance. The QOL of adolescents was impacted by malocclusion, classified by a normative need for treatment according to the Dental Aesthetic Index (PR = 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.56) or by the self-perceived need for treatment (PR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.81–3.56). Certain sociodemographic variables, including the head of the family (PR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.02–2.23), greater educational level of the head of the family (PR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.17–0.61), and female sex (PR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.05–1.89), had negative associations with QOL. We conclude that malocclusion has a negative impact on the QOL of adolescents, associated with socioeconomic conditions and the cosmetic effects of malocclusion.
Highlights
The concept of oral health-related quality of life (QOL) refers to the impact that oral health or disease has on a person’s day-to-day activities and general wellbeing [1]
Of the 1033 eligible adolescents, 7 adolescents refused to participate in the study and 11 adolescents were not present in school at the second evaluation (Fig 2)
The study population comprised 1015 schoolchildren enrolled in 30 schools (19 public and 11 private), 75.4% were from public schools and 68% of economic classes C-D-E
Summary
The concept of oral health-related quality of life (QOL) refers to the impact that oral health or disease has on a person’s day-to-day activities and general wellbeing [1]. Oral diseases and disorders can have negative effects on the lives of those who have them [2]. Support and Scientific and Technological Development of Maranhão (FAPEMA) for supporting the translation and publication of this article. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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