Oral problems and quality of life of preschool children: self ‐reports of children and perception of parents/caregivers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oral health problems and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children according to both self‐reports and the reports of parents/caregivers. A school‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted with 769 preschool children and their parents/caregivers. The OHRQoL was evaluated using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five‐Year‐Old Children (SOHO‐5). Based on logistic regression for complex samples, the following variables were found to be associated with poorer OHRQoL in the parent/caregiver version: toothache (OR = 6.77; 95% CI: 3.95–11.59); consequences of untreated dental caries (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.27–5.70); and anterior open bite (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.13–3.56). The following variables were associated with poorer OHRQoL in the child self‐report version: toothache (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: 2.11–5.29); cavitated lesions (anterior teeth) (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.26–3.84); occurrence of traumatic dental injury (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19–2.61); and anterior open bite (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.16–3.29). We conclude that children with dental caries (or its sequelae) had poorer OHRQoL. Having experienced a traumatic dental injury and having a malocclusion were also associated with a poorer OHRQoL.
Source: European Journal of Oral Sciences - Category: Dentistry Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
More News: Children | Study | Tooth Decay