On Oral Health-related Quality Of Life Research Articles

Impact of maxillomandibular advancement on oral health related quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: A longitudinal study of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14)

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients prior to, immediately after, and up to 1 year after surgery. MethodsIn this prospective study, OHRQoL was measured with the use of the Dutch version of the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14NL). A total of 19 patients were asked to complete the questionnaires prior to surgery (T0), on the first 7 days post-surgery (T1-T7), and 1 month (T8), 6 months (T9), and at least 1 year post surgery (T10). The baseline OHIP score was compared with the post-surgery scores using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction (significance at P < .005). ResultsCompared with the baseline, the OHIP score significantly increased in the first month after MMA. At 6 months (T9) and 1 year (T10), the OHIP score decreased compared relative to scores in the immediate postoperative period (T1-T8). However, there was no significant difference found in comparison with the baseline (T0). ConclusionThis study indicates that in OSA patients who undergo MMA, OHRQoL deteriorates in the immediate postoperative period. However, at 6 months to 1 year post surgery, OHRQoL does not significantly differ from its baseline value prior to MMA.

Oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian children, adolescents, and young adults undergoing cancer treatment.

Cancer is considered a major public health problem worldwide and may have an important impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Thus, the present study aimed to assess OHRQoL in Brazilian patients aged 3 to 21 years undergoing cancer treatment. In total, 121 patients receiving cancer treatment and 363 healthy individuals (control group) were evaluated. OHRQoL was assessed using an age-specific questionnaire, that is, the Brazilian versions of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS), the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) 11-14-short version, the CPQ 8-10-short version, and the short-form of Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire-14 (OHIP-14). Individuals from the control group who were evaluated by the ECOHIS presented more impact on the OHRQoL regarding the psychological and family function score, as well as those evaluated by CPQ 8-10, who presented more impact in general. However, considering CPQ 11-14, cancer patients had their OHRQoL more affected, as shown in both the total questionnaire score and oral symptoms score. Within the limitations of this Brazilian study, cancer treatment seems to be associated with decreased OHRQoL only in patients aged between 11 and 14 years. However, children without cancer aged between 8 and 10 years seem to experience worse OHRQoL.

Prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures positively influences quality of life in older patients: a systematic review

Objective: This systematic review assessed the effects of prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in older adults. Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases to identify randomized clinical trials and prospective clinical studies. The included studies evaluated the effects of prosthetic rehabilitation on OHRQoL in patients whose mean age was &gt; 60 years. The interventions included complete dentures, implant-retained overdentures, and removable partial prostheses, with a minimum follow-up period of 1 month after prosthetic rehabilitation. Patient-reported outcome measures, specifically OHRQoL, were the primary outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomized clinical trials and the ROBINS-I tool for prospective clinical studies. Results: Eleven articles were considered eligible for the systematic review. The findings indicated that removable dentures improved various OHRQoL domains, mainly functional limitations and physical and psychological disabilities. Retention, stability, comfort, speech, and masticatory efficiency were significantly better with implant overdentures than complete dentures, leading to higher patient satisfaction and OHRQoL. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that prosthetic rehabilitation with removable dentures has a positive influence on OHRQoL in older patients. The findings highlight the beneficial impact of implant overdentures and fixed adhesive prostheses for enhancing functional outcomes and patient satisfaction. PROSPERO Registration: CRD42020209175.

Impact of Oral Diseases on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Older People

Context: Oral diseases are an important public health problem because of their high prevalence, their impact on individuals and society, and the expensive nature of their treatment. The oral health of the older population is a global concern. Major problems include a high prevalence of missing teeth, dental caries, periodontal disease, and wasting diseases. Poor oral health has an influence on the quality of life (QoL) as well. We attempted to assess the impact of oral diseases on oral health-related QoL (OHRQoL) using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire. Aim: To investigate the impact of oral diseases on OHRQoL using the GOHAI questionnaires. Settings and Design: The study was a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted among the older populations in South Kerala. Subjects and Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study, in which 399 people participated: 200 were female and 199 were male. People above 60 years of age, who were permanent residents of the district, were recruited for the study. The sampling method used was circular systemic random sampling. Clinical examination was done according to the World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Form 2013, and OHRQoL was recorded using GOHAI questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive analysis was performed using frequencies of variables, such as means and standard deviations. The bivariate analysis used Student's t-test to determine the association between variables. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 65 ± 5.5 years. Significant associations were found between the psychosocial domain and missing teeth (P &lt; 0.05) and periodontitis (P &lt; 0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, an association between the pain/discomfort domain was found in denture wear (P &lt; 0.046) and tooth sensitivity (P &lt; 0.003). Conclusions: The study found a reduction in the OHRQoL among the study population. The study finding underscores the impact of oral diseases on QoL.

Impact of Oral Health Literacy on the Quality of Life among Adult Population of Ghaziabad District – A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Oral health literacy (OHL) represents far more than a healthy mouth, a pleasing smile, and freedom from pain and infection which contributes positively to self-esteem leading to a healthy oral health outcome. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the OHL level and its impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among the adult population visiting the outpatient department of a hospital in Ghaziabad district. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ghaziabad district. A total of 300 study subjects aged above 18 years visiting the outpatient department of the hospital were included in the study. OHL level was assessed with the help of a bilingually adapted Hindi OHL tool, and the OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scale. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 43.9 ± 14.36 years. Majority (150, 50%) of the study subjects had inadequate OHL level followed by marginal OHL level which was seen among 90 (30%) subjects and 60 (20%) subjects had adequate OHL level. OHL level was slightly higher among females as compared to male subjects although the results were not statistically significant. A highly statistically significant negative correlation was found among OHL scores and OHRQoL scores of any individual. Conclusion: This study concluded that raising OHL scores can have a significant impact on OHRQoL of any individual.

Efficacy of One Stage Full Mouth Disinfection on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Generalised Chronic Periodontitis

Introduction: Intraoral translocation of periodontal pathogens from untreated intraoral niches can lead to recolonisation and reinfection of recently treated periodontal pockets. Poor oral health hampers the patient’s Quality of Life (QoL) as it causes social isolation, inferiority and the development of psychiatric conditions. Full Mouth Disinfection (FMD) performed within 24 hours using chlorhexidine has reported significant improvements in clinical, microbiological and psychological parameters when compared to conventional periodontal treatment. Aim: To investigate the long-term effect of FMD on Oral HealthRelated Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in patients with generalised chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective clinical study conducted in the Department of Periodontology, Dr DY Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India, from October 2019 to December 2021. Study consisted of 60 participants who were allotted into two groups; 30 periodontally healthy volunteers (control group) and 30 patients (test group) diagnosed with generalised chronic periodontitis. The test group was asked to fill out the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire to assess the OHRQoL at baseline followed by FMD protocol. All the patients were kept at periodic recall, and the OHRQoL was assessed again taken after one months three months, and six months. The control group was asked to fill out the questionnaire at the baseline. Repeated measure analysis of variance with post-hoc bonferroni test was used to compare differences in variation present from baseline to one month, three months and six months. For intergroup comparison at different time intervals, an unpaired t-test was applied. Results: The age group of participants ranged from 25- 55 years with a mean age of 41.3 years. Test group had 18 males and 12 females and, 20 males and 10 females were in the control group. The mean OHIP-14 score at baseline was 3.58±3.29 in the control group and 42.35±4.32 in the test group at baseline, showing a mean difference of -38.76±0.93, which was statistically significant. After one month there was a significant improvement in the OHIP-14 scores of the test group (26.35±2.60), which was further reduced to -13.58±0.81 and -9.0±0.88 by the end of three and six months. Therefore, a notable improvement in the QoL and periodontal conditions of the patients following FMD was appreciated. Conclusion: Periodontitis negatively impacts the OHRQoL. FMD provides an improvement in the perceived QoL among periodontitis patients.

Exploratory analysis of demographic data, tobacco habits, and oral health-related quality of life among complete denture patients.

The present study assessed the impact of demographics and tobacco habits on oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among complete denture patients. Prospective cohort study design. Two hundred and eighty four edentulous patients, aged above 30 years, were chosen as the sample for the study after taking informed consent. Information regarding demographic data and smoking status was obtained from each participant. OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile Edentulousness (OHIP EDENT) quantifying various domains, namely functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0 (IBM; Chicago, Illinois, USA). Mann-Whitney U test was applied to find significant differences in OHRQoL between gender, age, and smoking status. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. It was seen that complete denture wearers above 65 years had higher OHIP EDENT scores as compared to younger counterparts suggesting the compromised quality of life in the functional domain which was statistically significant. Psychological discomfort was greater in females while physical disability seemed higher in males. Smoking was found to be a factor associated with decreased OHRQoL. Older age groups, female gender, and smoking were factors associated with decreased OHRQoL among complete denture patients.

Influence of sociodemographic factors on parental perceptions of Saudi parents on oral health-related quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorder in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Aim: To assess the association of sociodemographic factors on parental perception of Saudi parents on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 Saudi parents whose children with ASD were enrolled in special schools in Riyadh. Parents were asked to fill out two questionnaires consisting of their sociodemographic information and parental caregiver perception questionnaire. The results were then statistically analyzed by applying mean standard deviation with 95% of confidence interval, Pearson’s Chi-square test, and multinomial regression model with level of significance P < 0.05. Results: Sociodemographic factors, like age, education, and family income, affected various domains of parental perception of OHRQoL of their children with ASD. Age and education of the father are significantly associated with the oral symptom domain (P value = 0.002) and emotional well-being (EW) (P value = 0.032), respectively. Age and education of the mother are significantly associated with the oral symptom domain (P value 0.035) and EW (P value 0.040), respectively. Family income is significantly associated with the oral symptom domain (P value 0.000). Conclusion: There is a definite role of sociodemographic factors on parental perceptions of Saudi parents regarding OHRQoL of ASD children.

Improvement on oral health related quality of life after orthosurgical treatment: a mixed methods study.

The aim of this study was to understand the influence of orthosurgical treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with Class II and III skeletal malocclusion by conducting a mixed method case series study. Nineteen patients submitted to orthosurgical treatment in a private practice in Brazil were included in the sample. Data were collected retrospectively and interviews were held from March 2020 to July 2021. Patients answered to the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) in the first part of the interview and subsequently answered the qualitative questions. The overall mean of OHIP-14 after treatment was 4.21 (SD 4.68). The qualitative data were analyzed according to thematic analysis and four themes emerged from the interviews: a) concept of quality of life, b) pre-treatment life, c) post-treatment life, and d) positive and negative aspects of treatment. Quality of Life was reported by the patients as the absence of feeling pain, having emotional and physical health, having a satisfactory esthetic appearance and self-esteem. Before treatment, most Class II patients used to complain about breathing and sleeping problems, while Class III patients complained more intensely about esthetics. Pain was a common problem reported by both Class II and Class III patients. In general, improvement was perceived in self-esteem, esthetics, function and pain. Complaints about negative aspects of the treatment were restricted to the postoperative period. The orthosurgical treatment was important for improving the OHRQoL of patients in terms of esthetic, functional and psychosocial aspects.

Evaluation of the effects of dental fluorosis (DF) on the oral health related life quality between 11–14 years school children in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa

Background: Teenagers' classroom absences were correlated with oral health issues including dental problems. In contrast to severe traumas, gingivitis and periodontal disease have been shown to have a negative effect on Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in teenagers. Objective: The research's objective was to evaluate how Dental fluorosis affected kids aged 11 to 14 in terms of their quality of life and condition-specific oral influence on daily performance. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted Between February 2021 and March 2022, to examine the effects of DF on OHRQoL among students aged 11 to 14 in Peshawar's fluoridated areas. 240 Peshawar-based school children between the ages of 11 and 14 took part in the research. Results: The mean CS OIDP score for high fluoridated areas was 38.84. Additionally, it demonstrates that students struggle most with socialising (7.87), which has the highest mean score, and eating (3.14), which has the lowest mean score. Conclusion: The findings of this research can serve as a warning to dental to conduct demographic research at the town and county level to identify risk variables and determine potential treatments and prevention methods.

Impact of Smoking on Oral Health-related Quality of Life

The aim of this study was to assess smoking impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). A cross-sectional study was carried out with smokers and non-smokers patients scheduled at a Faculty of Dentistry in Brazil. Sociodemographic data were collected and oral problems impact on quality of life were assessed through “Oral Health Impact Profile-14” (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The World Health Organization criteria were used to assess dental caries and periodontal disease. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Two hundred and seven individuals participated in the study, 112 non-smokers and 95 smokers. Most smokers were males (54.25%), the average smoking time was 24.74 ± 14.84 years and 54.72% of them reported smoking more than 11 cigarettes/day. Smokers scored higher values in OHIP-14 (p = 0.026) and in dimensions “functional limitation” (p &lt; 0.001), “psychological discomfort” (p = 0.024) and “psychological disability” (p = 0.047). In addition, smokers had higher percentages of sextants with periodontal pockets (p &lt; 0.001) and moderate to advanced attachment loss (p = 0.029). In short, smokers suffered a greater impact on OHRQoL, in addition to a worse periodontal condition compared to non-smokers.

Impact of the extension of the anterior-posterior spread on quality of life and satisfaction of patients treated with implant-retained mandibular overdentures - a randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesTo compare the degree of satisfaction (SD) and the impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of edentulous patients treated with conventional complete dentures (CCDs) and mandibular overdentures (IODs) with a short anteroposterior spread (S-APS) or a large antero-posterior spread (L-APS). Materials and methodsEdentulous patients were treated with CCDs and subsequently randomly allocated to receive a bar clip mandibular overdenture retained by 2 interforaminal implants (Control) or 4 (Test: 2 additional implants distal to the mental foramen). The Oral Health Impact Profile Edent questionnaire (OHIP-20E) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were applied at a mean follow-up of 38.5 months to assess the impact on OHRQoL and DS, respectively. Comparisons between the type of prosthesis and the extension of the AP spread were made with Student's t test for paired samples and for independent samples, respectively, at a significance level of 5%. ResultsThe IODs had significantly lower OHRQoL values ​​in the dimensions “functional limitation” (p=0.03), “physical pain” (p=0.02), “psychological discomfort” (p<0.01), “disability physical” (p<0.01) and “general score” (p<0.01) (n=20 patients). The IODs presented DS values ​​significantly for “aesthetics” (p=0.04), “stability” (p=0.03), “masticatory capacity” (p<0.01), “function” (p<0.01) and "oral condition" (p=0.03). The S-APS group (control) resulted in significantly lower values ​​in the dimensions “physical pain” (p<0.01) and “general score” (p<0.01) and no domain with statistical difference in the VAS scale. ConclusionsIODs significantly improved OHRQoL and DS. The increase in AP spread did not result in benefits for the patient's OHRQOL and DS in this clinical study. (Study Protocol Number: 1.452.492) Clinical SignificanceImplantology has experienced in the last 20 years a permanent evolution that aim at increasing predictability and improving long-term clinical performance. Placement of short implants distally to the mental foramen, for instance, and the resulting increase of the anterior-posterior spread, is a promising approach and is worthy of investigation.

Evaluation of the Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Periodontitis at Different Stages

Aim: To determine the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on oral health-related-quality-of-life (OHRQoL) in individuals with periodontitis at different stages. Materials and Methods: Full-mouth clinical periodontal parameters [plaque-index (PI), gingival-index (GI), probing-pocket-depth (PD), bleeding-on-probing (BOP), clinical-attachment-loss (CAL)] of 119 healthy individuals aged 24 to 64 years just before and six-weeks after NSPT were obtained and the mean was calculated. Oral hygiene instructions were given. The Oral-Health-Related-Quality-of-Life-United-Kingdom (OHRQoL-UK) scale was used to measure the positive and negative effects of NSPT on OHRQoL. Sociodemographic data (age, gender, education and income status, reason for admission to the hospital, use of toothbrush, other cleaning tools, removable prosthesis and smoking) of the participants were recorded using a multiple choice questionnaire. Results: The use of toothbrushes and cleaning device increased in all phases after the treatment (p&amp;lt;0.01). Ages of individuals in stage-IV were higher than other stages (p&amp;gt;0.05). Individuals in stage-III (p=0.01) and IV had fewer teeth than other stages (p=0.01), while the use of removable prosthesis was higher (p&amp;lt;0.05). Clinical periodontal parameters decreased significantly in all stages after treatment and showed improvement (p&amp;lt;0.01). When all stages before and after treatment were compared within themselves, there were significant differences in the total score of OHRQoL between stages I-III, I-IV, II-III and II-IV (p&amp;lt;0.05). It was observed that all OHRQoL scores increased when compared before and after treatment in terms of symptoms, physical, psychological and social status (p&amp;lt;0.01). Conclusion: NSPT provides a significant improvement in the OHRQoL of individuals in all stages of periodontitis.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) represents an adverse side effect of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic medications. It is associated with impaired quality of life, oral health, and oral function and can be classified into various stages. The purpose of this prospective clinical study is to evaluate the impact of stages I and II MRONJ on oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and related parameters. Patients’ OHRQoL, satisfaction with life, oral discomfort, and oral health were assessed using the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G49), visual analog scales (VAS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) at baseline (T0), 10 days (T1), and 3 months after treatment (T2) in 36 patients. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, two-way mixed ANOVAs, and follow-up Mann–Whitney U tests. The impact of treatment effects on the original seven OHIP domain structures and the recently introduced four-dimensional OHIP structure were evaluated using linear regression analysis. Thirty-six patients received surgical MRONJ treatment. Before treatment, patients’ perceived OHRQoL, oral discomfort, oral health, and satisfaction with life were negatively affected by MRONJ. Surgical treatment significantly improved OHRQoL and related parameters (all p ≤ 0.012). This improvement was greater in patients with higher impairment at T0. OHRQoL and oral restrictions were still impaired after treatment in patients who needed prosthetic treatment. The four-dimensional structure revealed valuable information beyond the standard seven OHIP domains. Increased awareness of MRONJ risks and an interdisciplinary treatment approach for MRONJ patients are needed.

Factors associated with a cariogenic diet among adolescents: a structural equation modeling approach.

To investigate the factors directly and indirectly associated with a cariogenic diet among southern Brazilian adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 15-19-year-old students attending high schools in Santa Maria, southern Brazil. The participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and behavioral variables. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 was applied to collect data on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Clinical examination was used to assess the dental caries status (decayed, missing, and filled teeth index). A cariogenic diet was considered a latent variable measured by the self-perception of a healthy diet and the frequency of consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the direct and indirect pathways to a cariogenic diet. A total of 1197 adolescents were included. Low toothbrushing frequency (standardized coefficient (SC), 0.10; p < 0.05), cigarette smoking (SC, 0.15; p < 0.01), and alcoholic beverages (SC, 0.14; p < 0.01) were directly linked to a cariogenic diet, which, in turn, was directly linked to untreated dental caries (SC, 0.18; p < 0.01) and poor OHRQoL (SC, 0.16; p < 0.01). In addition, household income (via toothbrushing frequency) and age (via alcoholic beverages) were indirectly linked to a cariogenic diet. A cariogenic diet was consistently associated with a range of unhealthy behaviors during adolescence as well as poor household income. Health promotion strategies to restrict sugar consumption and encourage healthier lifestyles should be aware of the synergism observed among unhealthy behaviors during adolescence.

Impact of community and individual social capital during early childhood on oral health-related quality of life: A 10-year prospective cohort study

AimTo evaluate the impact of community and individual social capital during early childhood on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) over a 10-year follow-up period. MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in the southern Brazil. Baseline (T1) data collection occurred in 2010 with preschool children aged 1-5 years. Participants were assessed in 2012 (T2), 2017 (T3), and 2020 (T4). OHRQoL was assessed using the B-ECOHIS at T1 and T2 and through CPQ8-10 at T3 and CPQ11-14 at T4. Community social capital was evaluated through the presence of formal institutions in the neighbourhood and individual social capital by social networks, both at T1. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were also evaluated. Multilevel Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate the impact of social capital measures on OHRQoL. ResultsOf the 639 children assessed at T1, 469 were followed at T2 (73.3% response rate), 449 at T3 (70.3% response rate), and 429 at T4 (67.1% response rate). Individuals living in neighbourhoods with the presence of social class associations at T1 had higher OHRQoL at T3 and T4. Individuals whose families visit friends and neighbours less than once a month or never at T1 had lower OHRQoL at T1, T3 and T4. Attending religious meetings less than once a month or never at T1 was associated with lower OHRQoL at T2 and T4. ConclusionSocial capital at the community level had a long-term effect on OHRQoL, especially during adolescence, while individual social capital levels impacted OHRQoL across the assessments. Clinical SignificanceThe findings indicate that psychosocial variables can impact OHRQoL, a fundamental aspect of clinical practice.

Hypomineralized Teeth and Their Impact on Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life in Primary School Children.

Background: Molar–incisor hypomineralization (MIH) has a strong negative effect on oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Malformed teeth can be hypersensitive, and the discoloration might affect children’s appearances, reducing their well-being. The purpose of the study was to investigate how hypomineralized incisors and molars differ in children’s perceived OHRQoL. Materials and Methods: 252 children aged 7–10 years old were included and subdivided into three equal groups (n = 84). Group A included children with asymptomatic molars and affected incisors. Group B included children presenting only affected molars. Group C was the control group, with children showing no MIH. All participants were asked to complete the German version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ-G8-10) to measure OHRQoL. Results: Participants in the posterior group showed a median total CPQ of 13.4 (±1.7), which was significantly higher than scores in the anterior and control group, which showed a median total CPQ of 8.4 (±1.4) and 4.2 (±0.7), respectively. Children in the posterior group suffered more from oral symptoms and functional limitations, whereas the anterior group dealt more with social and emotional well-being problems. Conclusions: The position of the MIH-affected teeth causes different influences on perceived OHRQoL.

The Status, Need, and Influence of Dental Prosthetics on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in the Geriatric Population: An Epidemiological Survey.

BackgroundAn epidemiological survey was conducted among the geriatric population to determine the status and need for dental prosthetics and their influence on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).MethodologyThe study population consisted of 270 patients aged 60 or older. All pertinent demographic information, clinical data on prosthesis status and need, and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questions to assess OHRQoL were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire written in the patient’s native tongue. In addition, a type 3 oral examination was performed on a sample of the geriatric population.ResultsThe OHRQoL was found to be unaffected by the prosthetic status. However, there was a strong correlation between the elderly study population’s OHRQoL and the need for a prosthetic. Of each variable in OHRQoL, physical pain, discomfort when eating, and loss of taste were the most affected in this population.ConclusionsThe prosthetic needs of the study population must be given high priority as there are many unmet needs. The concerned health departments need to seriously consider increasing facilities with an affordable system. There is a lack of appreciation for OHRQoL. However, given that a satisfactory clinical assessment of the mouth does not always indicate good oral health status, the justification for evaluating dental care with respect to oral well-being is compelling.

Dental Fluorosis and Its Associated Factors Amongst Libyan Schoolchildren

BackgroundLittle is known about dental fluorosis (DF) in Benghazi, Libya, where the public water supply is naturally fluoridated. ObjectiveThe study aims to investigate the distribution of DF and its related risk factors and impact on oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the association between DF and caries amongst Libyan school children. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out amongst 12-year-old schoolchildren in the city of Benghazi. Dean's and decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMF) indices were used to assess the severity of DF and dental caries. In addition, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and behavioural information and OHRQoL using the Child Oral Health Impact Profile–Short Version 19 (COHIP-SF19). ResultsOut of 1125 children who participated in the study, 15%, 7.8%, 2.2%, and 0.4% of participants were coded as having questionable, mild, moderate, and severe DF, respectively. Children enrolled in private schools were less likely to have DF (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.83; P = .007). Moderate-severe DF was associated with more decayed surfaces and DMF scores and low scores for COHIP-SF19 and its socioemotional well-being subscale. ConclusionsThe data demonstrate that rates of DF are relatively low in naturally fluoridated areas in Libya. DF amongst Libyan schoolchildren was associated with social disparities, higher caries rates, and negative impacts on OHRQoL.

Pattern of caries lesions and oral health-related quality of life throughout early childhood: A birth cohort study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different patterns of dental caries on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) throughout early childhood. This birth cohort study followed 277 children from southern Brazil for 6 years. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were collected at birth. At age 3 years, children's dental caries experience was quantified by the decayed, missing, or filled teeth (dmft) index. At age 6 years, parents answered the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Poisson regression models were used to estimate associations between caries experience and later OHRQoL, presented as the ratio of ECOHIS scores between the groups. The prevalence of dental caries at 3 years of age was 37.5%. In children with caries, lesions only in anterior teeth, only in posterior teeth, and in both dental segments at age 3 were associated with age 6 ECOHIS scores that were 2.7, 7.8, and 6.2 times higher, respectively, than in children without dental caries experience. OHRQoL was worse among children with higher dmft scores. Dental caries lesions in posterior teeth by age 3 years was strongly predictive of adverse impacts on later OHRQoL, presumably as an indicator of continued disease experience in the intervening years.