Abstract
BackgroundOral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact are the four oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) dimensions (4D) or areas in which oral disorders impact pediatric patients. Using their dentists' assessment, the study aimed to evaluate whether pediatric dental patients' oral health concerns fit into the 4D of the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) construct.MethodsDentists who treat children from 32 countries and all WHO regions were selected from a web-based survey of 1580 international dentists. Dentists were asked if their pediatric patients with current or future oral health concerns fit into the 4D of the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) construct. Proportions of all pediatric patients’ oral health problems and prevention needs were computed.FindingsData from 101 dentists treating children only and 523 dentists treating children and adults were included. For 90% of pediatric patients, their current oral health problems fit well in the four OHRQoL dimensions. For 91% of oral health problems they intended to prevent in the future were related to these dimensions as well. Both numbers increased to at least 96% when experts analyzed dentists´ explanations of why some oral health problems would not fit these four categories.ConclusionsThe study revealed the four fundamental components of dental patients, i.e., the four OHRQoL dimensions (Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact) are also applicable for pediatric patients, regardless of whether they have current or future oral health concerns, and should be considered when measuring OHRQoL in the pediatric dental patient population.
Highlights
This study aimed to evaluate whether pediatric dental patientsoral health concerns related to teeth, mouth, jaw fit into the 4D of the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) construct developed in the context of adults namely Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact based on their dentists’ assessments
Dentists’ general characteristics In this international survey, 101 dentists from 23 countries who only treated pediatric dental patients were selected from a larger pool of 1580 dentists from 32 countries who participated in a larger web-based project [15]
Summary of study findings This international survey performed in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions, showed that pediatric dental patients’ oral health problems fit into the four OHRQoL dimensions, i.e., Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact, regardless of wether pediatric patients and their parents or guardians visited their dentist due to a check-up or because of the current oral health discomfort of the child
Summary
Using their dentists’ assessment, the study aimed to evaluate whether pediatric dental patients’ oral health concerns fit into the 4D of the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) construct. It is well known that orofacial disorders in general, have an impact on physical functioning and psychosocial well-being on pediatric dental patients and their families, causing pain and discomfort [6]. Specific issues arise when measuring OHRQoL in children due to their physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and language development phases because oral health and health cognition are agedependent [7]
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