Oral Health-related Quality Of Life Of Children Research Articles

Impact of molar incisor hypomineralization on oral health-related quality of life in 8-10 years old children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and its different severities on various aspects of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children between 8 and 10 years of age. The search terms were chosen according to the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and non-MeSH. Potentially eligible studies involved the OHRQoL evaluation in 8-10 years old children with MIH. An electronic search of published studies was carried out in August 2022 on Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. Of 130 papers retrieved initially, 21 were eligible to be included in the systematic review, of which 8 were excluded. The OHRQoL questionnaires used in the studies included Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) 8-10, Child Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire, and Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances questionnaire. Nine studies using CPQ8-10 contributed to the meta-analysis. According to meta-analysis, the results revealed that in MIH children a significant increase was observed in the total score of CPQ 810 with the pooled mean of 15.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]:8.95-22.84; P-value = .001) and in oral symptoms, functional limitation and emotional well-being domains with the pooled means of 6.25 (95% CI:4.01-8.50; P-value = .001), 3.88 (95% CI:1.93-5.83; P-value = 0.001), and 3.24 (95% CI:0.96-5.52; P-value = .01), respectively. While the increase in social well-being with the pooled mean of 1.65 (95% CI: -0.47 to 3.76; P-value = .13) was not significant. Subgroup analysis based on MIH severity showed no significant difference in OHRQoL means for all variables. Suffering from MIH, negatively affected the total score and all domains of the CPQ 8-10 questionnaire, except for social well-being. Furthermore, different severities of MIH had no significant impact on OHRQoL in children.

Evaluation of Change in Quality of Life, Dental Fear and Dental Anxiety in Young Children Following Full-mouth Dental Rehabilitation under General Anesthesia for Early Childhood Caries.

To evaluate the change in quality of life, dental fear, and dental anxiety in young children following full-mouth dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia for early childhood caries. About 200 children who were diagnosed with early childhood caries requiring full-mouth rehabilitation under general anesthesia were recruited after obtaining parental consent. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Dental fear was evaluated using Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale and dental anxiety was evaluated using the Facial Image Scale. Scores were taken on the day of intervention, and after 14 days when the child reported for posttreatment follow-up. All 200 participants returned for a follow-up visit after 2 weeks. The child impact section was reduced from 15.7 ± 4.1 to 7.7 ± 1.9 after treatment. The family impact section was reduced from 9.6 ± 2.7 to 3.5 ± 2.6 after treatment. A statistically significant difference was seen in both sections when pre-and posttreatment values were compared (p < 0.001). The total ECOHIS showed statistically significant improvement as the pretreatment score of 21.6 ± 9.5 reduced to 11.2 ± 4.2 showing 51.9% improvement in OHRQoL after full-mouth rehabilitation under general anesthesia was done (p < 0.001). Dental fear and anxiety among the participants showed a statistically significant reduction after treatment was done and most participants were found to be less fearful of doctors, dentists, and injections after treatment. Full-mouth rehabilitation was found to be a reliable treatment modality to improve the OHRQoL of children suffering from early childhood caries. Significant improvement was seen in the OHRQoL within 2 weeks after treatment and most participants were found to be less anxious and fearful toward dentists and dental treatment. Comprehensive dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia has been proven to be an effective treatment modality for early childhood caries and a productive treatment technique to reduce dental fear and anxiety.

Measuring hair cortisol concentration, insomnia symptoms and quality of life in preschool children with severe early childhood caries – a case-control pilot study

Objective This study aimed to 1) investigate the relationships between hair cortisol concentration (HCC), insomnia symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in preschool children with severe early childhood caries, 2) compare HCC, insomnia symptoms, HRQoL and OHRQoL in preschool children with severe early childhood caries with these factors in children without clinical signs of dental caries, and 3) explore correlations between caries scores and HCC, insomnia symptoms, HRQoL and OHRQoL. Material and Methods A case-control pilot study, including 12 children with severe early childhood caries and 28 controls, aged 3-5 years. Dental examination was performed and hair samples for cortisol were taken. Parents filled out questionnaires about their child’s insomnia symptoms, HRQoL and OHRQoL. Interpreters were used in families with language difficulties. Results The key findings in this pilot study were tendencies that children with severe early childhood caries had more insomnia symptoms, and poorer OHRQoL than the controls. Caries scores was correlated with insomnia symptoms and OHRQoL. Conclusions Dentists should include questions about the child’s sleep when they see the child, as insomnia related to dental caries may lead to several physical, mental, and social problems.

Psychosocial associated factors of early childhood caries and oral health-related quality of life: Structural equation model approach

ObjectiveTo identify a structural model for the identification of psychosocial associated factors of early childhood caries (ECC) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children and their families. MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 533 preschool children from 4 to 6 years-old public and private preschools, from Ribeirão das Neves, MG. Parents/caregivers self-completed the Brazilian versions of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and Resilience Scale as well as a structured questionnaire addressing socioeconomic status and child's oral health behavior. Two dentists who had undergone training and calibration exercises for ICDAS‑epi and pufa index (Kappa≥0.95) performed the examinations for ECC. Stages of ECC were classified as free of visible carious lesion, initial caries, moderate caries, extensive caries without pulp consequences and extensive caries with pulp consequences. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, using Mplus version 8.6. ResultsLower socioeconomic status (b=-0.250; p<0.001) and higher frequency of free sugar consumption (b = 0.122; p = 0.033) were directly associated with a more severe stage of ECC. Lower parental resilience had an indirect impact on more severe stage of ECC which was mediated by the variable ‘frequency of free sugar consumption’ (b=-0.089; p = 0.048). ECC was associated with lower child's OHRQoL (b = 0.587; p<0.001) and lower family's OHRQoL (b = 0.506; p<0.001). ConclusionStructural modeling revealed that the severity of ECC negatively impacted the OHRQoL of preschoolers and their families. The main associated factors of the severity of ECC were lower socioeconomic status, higher frequency of free sugar consumption and lower parental resilience. Clinical SignificanceT The findings indicate that psychosocial and behavior variables can be associated with the severity of ECC, and ECC can be associated with negative impact on wellbeing and ability to perform daily activities of preschoolers and their families.

Determinants of oral health-related quality of life and its affecting factors in preschool children: Cross-sectional study

Background: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is the main aspect of children’s oral health. In this study, it was intended to explore OHRQoL and its pertinent factors in pre-school children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was directed on 352 mothers with children (aged 3–5 years) based on stratified random sampling in health centers in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire completed by the caregiver, which includes socio-demographic data, OHRQoL (13 items), caregiver-reported children’s oral health status, and tooth brushing. The one-way ANOVA, independent samples t test, and linear regression were applied to define the predicators of OHRQoL using SPSS 16 at 95% significance level. Results: Mothers’ mean age was 31.5 (SD=4.9). It was 4.1 (SD=0.82) for children. According to the results, the majority of the mothers (88%) were homemakers and 25% had higher education. The mean (SD) of OHRQoL was 18.8 (7.9) out of 65. The items most related to OHRQoL were feeling guilty (25%), dental pain (35%), and difficulty eating (14.8%). According to the results of multiple regression, OHRQoL had significant relationship with economic status (P=0.046), caregiver-reported children’s oral health status (P=0.0001), children’s frequency of tooth-brushing (P=0.001), and their age (P=0.0001). In total, these factors described 0.22% of the variance in children’s OHRQoL. OHRQoL did not have a statistically significant relationship with mothers’ education level or children’s gender. Conclusion: According to the findings, the key predictor of OHRQoL was children’s oral health status, tooth brushing, and age. Effective educational interventions could be designed based on these predictors to improve the OHRQoL of children.

A self-reported cross-sectional study on the oral function and the quality of life in children with stunted growth.

Failure to catch up with growth in toddlerhood will stunt elementary school children, which continues to cognitive decline and oral motor coordination. Verbal motor skills play an essential role in the oral function of the stomatognathic system, which includes mastication, swallowing, and speech. Therefore, early attention to oral function disorders of the stomatognathic system can avoid complications in children's nutritional status and quality of life. The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation of oral function of the stomatognathic system with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in stunting children. This cross-sectional study correlates with 58 children aged 7-12 years with a history of stunting in toddlerhood from the Pasir Jambu District, Bandung Regency. The oral function of the stomatognathic system was evaluated by Adapted Orofacial Myofunctional Assessment Protocol and OHRQoL with Child Oral Health Impact Profile Short Form (COHIP-SF 19). The results were statistically analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and Kendall's coefficient of concordance correlation tests. The results showed that the research subjects had a significant relationship in each variable and the three variables of the oral function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, and speech) with OHRQoL with a p-value <0.05. The study concluded that the oral function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, and speech) is related to OHRQoL in children with stunted growth.

Association of MTR and MTRR genes and oral health-related quality of life in children with dental caries.

This study aimed to assess whether genetic polymorphisms in MTR and MTRR are potential biomarkers of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children with caries. A cross-sectional study was designed wherein pairs of parents/caregivers and children (aged two-five years) were selected. Clinical examination was used to detect dental caries, which were classified as low-severity and high-severity caries. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire was used to assess OHRQoL. Genomic DNA extracted from the saliva was used to analyze two missense genetic polymorphisms: MTR (rs1805087) and MTRR (rs1801394). Mann-Whitney non-parametric test was used to analyze candidate genes with OHRQoL scale and domain, with a significance level of p≤0.05. MTR (rs1805087) was found associated (p = 0.05) with children's OHRQoL subscale scores in the dominant model (GG + AG). Genetic polymorphisms in MTR may increase the risk of poor OHRQoL in children with caries. Further studies are needed to investigate genetics, molecular factors, and OHRQoL.

Impact of dental caries severity and activity on oral health-related quality of life among children aged 8-11 years.

Caries disease can lead to strong impact in terms of pain and suffering, to functional impairment, and to negative effects on quality of life. Studies have demonstrated that the impact on quality of life increases with dental caries severity, and few studies have assessed the relationship between caries activity and children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of dental caries severity and activity on the OHRQoL of schoolchildren. The study was conducted with a sample of children aged 8 to 11 years from Pelotas, southern Brazil. Children answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10, and socioeconomic data were collected. Children's dental caries (Kappa value of 0.95), PUFA, traumatic dental injuries, and malocclusion were examined. The Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Poisson regression tests were performed. A total of 119 children were included. Children with initial (mean ratio (MR) of 1.92; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.05-3.48), moderate (MR: 2.66; 95%CI: 1.44-4.90), and severe carious lesions (MR: 2.65; 95%CI: 1.46-4.79) had a greater impact on OHRQoL compared with those without carious lesions (p =0 .047). Children with active carious lesions exhibited a greater impact on OHRQoL (MR:1.53 and 95%CI: 1.11-2.11) when compared to those without active lesions (p = 0.019). The findings demonstrate an association between dental caries severity and activity and the OHRQoL of school-aged children.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Children and Adolescents with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome in Northern Italy.

Due to associated maxillofacial growth anomalies and the impairment of oral functions, macroglossia may negatively impact the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of people with Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the OHRQoL of Italian children and adolescents with BWS compared to healthy peers and to identify which symptoms related to macroglossia had the highest impact. A total of 48 patients with BWS and 48 age- and gender-matched controls completed the Italian version of OHIP-14 and a questionnaire on functional, oral and aesthetic outcomes. Parents of patients with BWS who had undergone tongue reduction surgery (TRS) answered additional questions related to surgery. The BWS group scored higher than controls on the total OHIP-14 and on the dimensions of oral function (p: 0.036) and psychosocial impact (p: 0.002), indicating a reduced OHRQoL. Neither gender nor age had an impact on OHRQoL. Scores were worse in children and adolescents treated with TRS, as most of them still had open bite malocclusion and speech difficulties. The OHRQoL of children and adolescents affected by BWS is worse than that of their healthy peers in spite of the surgical treatment of macroglossia.

CHANGES IN PARENTAL SATISFACTION AND ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AFTER RECEIVING ATRAUMATIC RESTORATIVE TREATMENT WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE APPLICATION.

To investigate the short-term and long-term changes in parental satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children after receiving atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) with or without prior silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application. In a randomized controlled trial, preschool children with cavitated dentine caries lesions in their primary teeth were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either application of SDF solution or placebo (tonic water) on the caries lesions 10 weeks before receiving ART restorations. The information on parental satisfaction and OHRQoL of the children were collected through self-completed questionnaires at baseline, the 6-month and the 24-month follow-up. A five-point scale, from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied), was used by parents to indicate their satisfaction with their child's dental conditions. A higher parental satisfaction score indicates that parents were more satisfied with their child's dental condition. In addition, the Chinese version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was adopted to assess the children's OHRQoL, and a higher ECOHIS score indicates greater negative impacts of oral health on the child's OHRQoL. A total of 194 children participated in this study, with 101 and 93 children receiving SDF and placebo application before ART restorations, respectively. After placement of ART restorations, at 6-month and 24-month follow-up, parental satisfaction scores with their child's dental health status were significantly higher compared with those at baseline (P <.001) indicating the parents were more satisfied at follow-ups. Regarding OHRQoL, no statistically significant changes were found in the child impact section (CIS), family impact section (FIS) and total ECOHIS scores in both study groups at the 6-month follow-up. In contrast, at the 24-month follow-up, the CIS (P = .025) and total ECOHIS scores (P = .015) of the children in the control group were significantly higher than those at baseline (greater negative impacts), but not the FIS score. In this study, after one-off placement of ART restorations irrespective of prior SDF application, short-term and long-term parental satisfaction with their child's dental health status was improved, but not the children's OHRQoL.

A network psychometric validation of the Children Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (COHQoL) questionnaire among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children.

In Australia, research evidence has shown that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children experience a higher burden of oral health diseases compared to other non-Indigenous children. The impact of oral health diseases on children’s functional and psychosocial outcomes led to the development of several instruments to evaluate child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL), such as the Parental-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and the Family Impact Scale (FIS). However, the psychometric properties of these instruments have been evaluated only in Western cultures and have not been investigated for Aboriginal children in Australia. The current study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the short-forms P-CPQ and FIS for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children aged 2–3 years. Data were collected from the South Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort (SAABC), including 270 Aboriginal children aged 2–3 years. Network psychometric models were used to investigate dimensionality, item redundancy, structural consistency and item stability, model fit, internal consistency reliability and criterion validity. We propose an instrument named Aboriginal Children’s Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (A-COHQoL). Our findings indicated that, after the exclusion of four problematic items, the A-COHQoL showed a three-dimensional structure (“Parent/Family Activities”, “COHQoL” and “Family Conflict”) with good model fit and reliability. The A-COHQoL is a psychometrically robust and sensitive instrument that is readily available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children aged 2–3 years in Australia and can be adapted in the future for Indigenous child groups in other countries.

The role of dental pain and psychosocial factors on the relationship between dental caries and oral health-related quality of life in children

BackgroundTo examine the role of dental pain, sense of coherence (SOC) and social support on the relationship between dental caries and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children aged 12 years.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 400 schoolchildren selected from public schools in a socioeconomically disadvantaged region in the city of Manaus, Brazil was carried out. The predictors of OHRQoL were selected according to the Wilson and Cleary theoretical model, including number of decayed teeth and its clinical consequence (component D of the DMFT index and PUFA/pufa index), dental pain (symptom status), and SOC and social support (individual and environmental characteristics). Statistical analysis was conducted through structural equation modelling and multivariable negative binomial regression. The significance level established for all analyses was 5%.ResultsNumber of dental caries was indirectly linked with OHRQoL (β = 0.19, 95% CI 0.11/0.29) through dental pain, SOC and social support. Clinical consequences of untreated caries directly predicted poor OHRQoL (β = 0.12, 95% CI 0.01/0.23). Dental pain, SOC and social support did not moderate the effect of dental caries measures on OHRQoL.ConclusionOur findings suggest the role of dental pain, SOC and social support as mediator factors on the link between dental caries and OHRQoL. Tackling dental caries along with psychosocial factors may attenuated the impact of oral health on OHRQoL in children.

Oral health-related quality of life in children with celiac disease.

There is limited knowledge about oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children with celiac disease (CD). This study aimed to assess OHRQoL in children with CD compared to healthy controls. This case-control study included children with CD and healthy controls. Three scales were used to assess OHRQoL in different age groups: 6-7years, 8-10years, and 11-14years. The OHRQoL scores were compared between cases and controls to examine the possible associations between OHRQoL and demographics, socioeconomic status, and oral health. Overall, 104 children with CD and 104 healthy children (controls) were included. The mean age was 10.67 ± 2.39years in CD patients and 10.69 ± 2.36 in controls (P = 0.971). Male and female children constituted 50% of each group. Children with CD had significantly higher OHRQoL scores than controls (P = 0.003). Low education levels of parents of children with CD and a higher number of siblings in controls were associated with high OHRQoL scores (P = 0.002, P < 0.020, and P = 0.010, respectively). Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) increased the OHRQoL scores by 7.5 on average (P = 0.016). Children with CD had poor OHRQoL compared with healthy controls. Poor OHRQoL in children with CD was associated with RAS and with lower parental income and education. RAS was an independent predictor of poor OHRQoL in children with CD.

Relationship between oral health literacy of caregivers and the oral health-related quality of life of children: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundOral health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate oral health decisions. However, scientific evidence about the oral health literacy of caregivers and the children’s oral health-related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between the level of oral health literacy of caregivers and the children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL).MethodsThis study was conducted with children aged 2 to 4 in Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil. Six hundred thirty children were examined to assess the prevalence of dental caries (dmft index). Parents were interviewed to obtain sociodemographic status, oral conditions, and oral health literacy (OHL). The variable outcome was the children's OHRQOL as assessed by the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). We fitted zero-inflated negative binomial regression (ZINB) models to evaluate associations between the study outcome and covariates in terms of PR (Prevalence Ratios), RR (Rate Ratios), and their respective Confidence Intervals (95% CI).ResultsChildren's OHRQOL was not associated with OHL. Dental caries had a negative impact on the children's quality of life (p < 0.05). A reduced impact on OHRQOL is also associated with having siblings (PR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.95). A higher age of the mother reduced OHRQOL impacts (PR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.52–0.98).ConclusionsThe factors associated with children's OHRQOL were the number of siblings, the mothers' age, and dental caries. This study observed no association between parental OHL and children's OHRQOL.

Psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old children.

As caries prevalence in Thai preschool children is very high and its consequences have scarcely been evaluated, the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old children (SOHO-5) is considered as an appropriate tool to measure the children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). To translate the SOHO-5 into Thai (Th-SOHO-5) and assess its psychometric characteristics. The cross-cultural adaptation of the SOHO-5 into Thai comprised forward-backward translation by experts and face validation by 20 child-parent dyads. To evaluate psychometric properties of the final version, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 306 child-parent pairs using an interview mode for children and a self-administered mode for parents. A trained investigator examined children's caries status. The Th-SOHO-5 showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics. Cronbach's alpha values were above 0.8 for both child and proxy reports. Overall intraclass correlation coefficients were > 0.9. Factor analysis supported a single-factor structure model of the Th-SOHO-5 and showed an excellent fit. Th-SOHO-5 scores were correlated with all global rating scales of oral health and well-being. Children with higher caries experience or caries with pulpal involvement demonstrated significantly higher Th-SOHO-5 scores. The Th-SOHO-5 possessed good reliability and validity. It can be used to evaluate the OHRQoL of preschool children in Thailand.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life among Non-Syndromic School-Age Children with Orofacial Clefts: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Italy.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the influence of orofacial clefts on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a group of Italian children and adolescents and to examine whether gender, age, cleft type, and surgical protocol were associated with patients’ OHRQoL. A total of 71 patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) and 71 age- and gender-matched controls (aged 8 to 18 years) were asked to complete the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP), a validated and reliable questionnaire to assess self-reported OHRQoL in children and teenagers. Children with orofacial clefts showed statistically significant lower quality of life scores than controls for total OHRQoL and for each of the subscales. Gender, the type of cleft, and the type of surgical protocol had no significant influence on OHRQoL. The negative impact of CLP on the area of self-image was greater in 12–18-year-olds, indicating a higher need for psychosocial counselling. These findings suggest that Italian CLP children and adolescents experience a poorer OHRQoL in comparison to their non-cleft peers.

Evidence of Association between MTRR and TNF-α Gene Polymorphisms and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Anterior Open Bite.

To assess the impact of AOB on OHRQoL in children and to evaluate whether MTR (rs1805087), MTRR (rs1801394), TGFβ1 (rs1800469) and TNF-α (rs1799964, rs1799724 and rs1800629) genes are potential biomarkers for OHRQoL in children with AOB. A cross-sectional study was performed with 173 children aged between 2-6 years. The Brazilian version of Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was applied. Genetic polymorphisms were analyzed using real-time PCR. Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-square were used. The overall mean ECOHIS scores were 5.49 (SD= 5.72) and 3.45 (SD = 4.49) (p < 0.01) in the AOB and control groups, respectively. Children with the CC genotype of TNF-α (rs1799724) had a significantly higher psychological QoL level. The MTRR AA genotype group showed a lower QoL level in the child subscale (p = 0.006), function (p = 0.017), and psychological (p = 0.006) domains. There was no significant difference between OHRQoL and the genetic polymorphisms in MTR and TGFβ1. Genetic polymorphisms in TNF-α and MTRR are associated with the impact on the OHRQoL in children with AOB.

Family functioning and preschool children's oral health-related quality of life.

Identifying which aspects of how a family functions are relevant to child oral health provides opportunities for interventions targeting the family context. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of general and domain-specific family functioning with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 3-4-year-old children. Cross-sectional data from 740 parent-child dyads from East London were analysed. Family functioning was assessed with the 60-item Family Assessment Device that yields scores for general functioning and six domains (roles, behaviour control, communication, affective involvement, affective responsiveness and problem solving). Children's OHRQoL was measured using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS), which measures the lifetime impacts of children's oral conditions on the child (child impact section, CIS) and family (family impact section, FIS). The associations of family functioning with the ECOHIS total, CIS and FIS scores were assessed in negative binomial regression models (rate ratios [RR] and 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] were calculated), adjusting for parental sociodemographic factors and child demographic factors and caries experience. Children in families with unhealthy general functioning had 1.45 (95% CI: 0.87-2.43), 1.24 (95% CI: 0.73-2.13) and 2.19 (95% CI: 1.20-3.99) times greater ECOHIS total, CIS and FIS scores, respectively, than those in families with healthy general functioning after adjustment for confounders. Unhealthy functioning in the roles domain was associated with greater ECOHIS total and FIS scores. Unhealthy functioning in the problem solving, roles and affective involvement domains were also associated with greater FIS scores. Unhealthy family functioning was associated with worse child OHRQoL, especially in terms of disrupting family life. Effective assignment and undertaking of roles should be further explored as a target for intervention.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with a Traumatic Injury of Permanent Teeth and the Impact on Their Families: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of a traumatic dental injury (TDI) of permanent teeth in children and adolescents on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as on their families. A bibliographic search in the biomedical databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE) was limited to studies published between January 2000 and February 2021. The study selection criteria were cross-sectional, case control, or prospective clinical studies, which analyzed TDI before and after the treatment of permanent teeth in healthy children and adolescent, assessed their OHRQoL, and were written in English. The search found 25 eligible articles that were included in the study. The quality assessment of the studies was performed using the quality assessment checklist for survey studies in psychology (Q-SSP). The results indicated that a TDI of permanent teeth strongly influences the OHRQoL of children and adolescents, and the timely-performed dental management of a TDI allows for preventing further biological and socio-psychological impacts. Sociodemographic status, economic status, parent’s education, gender, age group, and type of schooling were determinants of the TDI impact on OHRQoL.

Oral health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: paired cross-sectional study.

To evaluate the impact of oral health conditions on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and compare with children and adolescents without CP. This was a paired cross-sectional study, consisting of 121 children and adolescents with CP and 121 without CP, aged 6 to 14years. Caregivers filled a socioeconomic-demographic and the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Physical examination of the oral cavity assessed the dental caries experience, need for treatment, consequences of untreated dental caries, presence of dental trauma, bruxism and malocclusion. A descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p < 0.05) were performed. Variables with p values ≤ 0.20 in the bivariate analysis were included in the adjusted model analysis. Variables with a p value < 0.05 remained in the final Poisson Regression model. Caries experience had a negative impact on the quality of life of both groups, with and without CP. Presence of gastroesophageal reflux and difficulty to opening the mouth also had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of the group with CP. Children and adolescents with CP suffered a greater negative impact on OHRQoL than individuals without CP. Difficulty in opening the mouth and the presence of GER had a negative effect on the quality of life of individuals with CP, while dental caries had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of children and adolescents of both groups.