Abstract
BackgroundThe relationship between malocclusion and the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children needs to be explored further as existing literature presents conflicting evidence. This study aims to determine the association between malocclusion and OHRQoL of 11–14-year-old children.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 caregiver/child dyads seeking orthodontic consultation at a tertiary care hospital. The OHRQoL was assessed using child perception questionnaire for 11–14-year-old children (CPQ11–14) and the severity of malocclusion was assessed using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). CPQ11–14 scores ranged from 0 to 64, with lower scores representing better quality of life. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess differences between domain and total CPQ11–14 scores.ResultsThe mean CPQ11–14 score was 19.89 ± 9.8. Mean scores for the oral symptoms, functional limitations, emotional well-being, and social well-being domains were 5.26 ± 3.22, 3.67 ± 3.58, 3.98 ± 3.89 and 2.08 ± 2.98, respectively. Normal or slight malocclusion was seen in 37.6%, definite malocclusion was seen in 22.4%, severe malocclusion in 15.2% and handicapping malocclusion in 24.8% of the subjects. In comparisons by pairs, it was found that children with handicapping malocclusion had significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for the social well-being domain as compared with children having normal/minor malocclusion, indicating a poorer quality of life.ConclusionHandicapping malocclusion had a significant negative impact on the social well-being domain of OHRQoL among 11–14-year-old children in this population.
Highlights
The relationship between malocclusion and the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children needs to be explored further as existing literature presents conflicting evidence
Normal or slight malocclusion was seen in 37.6%, definite malocclusion was seen in 22.4%, severe malocclusion in 15.2% and handicapping malocclusion in 24.8% of the subjects
The findings of this study provides additional evidence that handicapping malocclusion negatively impacts the oral health related quality of life
Summary
The relationship between malocclusion and the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children needs to be explored further as existing literature presents conflicting evidence. This study aims to determine the association between malocclusion and OHRQoL of 11–14-year-old children. Malocclusion is a developmental condition where there is a deflection from the normal relation or alignment of the teeth to other teeth in the same arch and/or to the teeth in the opposing arch [1]. The oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) is defined as a composition of self-report, pertaining to oral health that captures the functional, social and psychological impacts of oral disease [8]. Malocclusion affects the function, appearance, social life and self-esteem of individuals, which constitute the different constructs of OHRQoL [9]. The use of subjective measures along with the professionally determined treatment need has been shown to be beneficial in orthodontic treatment planning [10]
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