Oral health-related quality of life- A changing revolution in dental practice

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) creates positive associations for most of the people. Perception of QoL varies between individuals and is dynamic amongst them. People who have different expectations report that they have a different QoL even when they have the same clinical condition. People are now demanding a better QoL. It is conceded that a rise in the standard of living of people is not enough to achieve satisfaction and happiness. Clinical indication of a problematic tooth may be many, but the presence of a toothache or pain, described by the individual as a symptom or functional barrier, affects well-being and is not measured by any traditional epidemiological indicator. Thus, a major shortcoming in traditional oral epidemiological indicators is the inability to reflect the capacity of the individuals to perform desired roles and activities. When oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) measures are used alongside traditional clinical methods of measuring oral health status, a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of oral diseases on the several dimensions of subjective well-being becomes possible.