Impact of shortened dental arches on oral health‐related quality of life

This study described the prevalence of adults with shortened dental arches (SDA) in Brazil, specifically assessing the differences of oral health‐related quality of life [the prevalence and severity of oral impacts on daily performance (OIDP)] by dentition status. We analysed data from the 2010 National Survey of Oral Health in Brazil, including home interviews and oral examinations. The assessment of SDA used two alternative definitions: having 3–5 natural occlusal units (OUs) in posterior teeth or having 4 OUs in posterior teeth. Both definitions included having intact anterior region and no dental prosthesis. The analysis was weighted, and a complex sampling design was used. Negative binomial regression models assessed associations as adjusted for socio‐demographic conditions and dental outcomes. A total of 9779 adults (35–44 years old) participated in the study. A non‐negligible proportion had SDA: 9·9% and 3·8% for the first and second definition, respectively. Individuals with SDA (first definition) ranked higher in OIDP prevalence [count ratio (CR) 1·22; 1·09–1·36, 95% confidence interval (CI)] and severity (CR = 1·43; 1·19–1·72, 95% CI) than those with more natural teeth. This difference was not statistically significant when adjusted for socio‐demographic and dental covariates: OIDP prevalence (CR = 1·04; 0·92–1·17, 95% CI) and severity (CR = 1·09; 0·91–1·30, 95% CI). Analogous results were obtained when the second definition of SDA was adopted. These findings suggest that a considerable contingent of adults may function well without dental prostheses, despite having several missing teeth. This conclusion challenges the traditional approach of replacing any missing tooth and instructs the allocation of more dental resources to preventive, diagnostic and restorative services.     

Association between oral health‐related and general health‐related quality of life in subjects attending dental offices in Germany

Objectives: To evaluate the GHRQoL and OHRQoL of patients attending dental offices in Germany and to determine correlation coefficients between SF (Short Form)‐12 and OHIP (Oral Health Impact Profile)‐14 scores. Methods: A total of 10,342 dental offices were randomly selected. Each of the 1,113 that consented to participate received 20 questionnaires to be filled in by a convenience sample of the patients. The questionnaire included the OHIP‐14‐form for OHRQoL as well as the SF‐12‐form for GHRQoL. Results: A total of 12,392 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The mean age of the participants (64.9 percent female, 35.1 percent male) was 44.25 years. The mean summary score of OHIP‐14 was 6.30 (SD 7.46). The mean physical component summary scale (PCS) of the SF‐12 was 51.15 (SD 7.23) and the mental component summary scale (MCS) was 50.17 (SD 8.55). The variance of PCS and MCS could be explained to 10 percent each by oral health‐related quality of life (r² = 0.095 and 0.101, P < 0.001). Conclusion: OHRQoL is considerably related to GHRQoL.     

Traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian children and oral health‐related quality of life

Background/Aims

Population‐based studies that investigate the impact of TDI on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among school children and its association with socioeconomic factors are scarce and offer conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TDI on OHRQoL among school children and its association with socioeconomic status.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 588 12‐year‐old children enrolled in public and private schools in the urban areas in the city of Diamantina (southeastern Brazil). Clinical examinations were performed for the diagnosis of traumatic dental injury based on Andreasen's classification. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ_11–14), which has been validated for the population in Brazil, was employed to evaluate oral health‐related quality of life. Socioeconomic status and overjet were also analyzed. Statistical analysis involved the chi‐square test and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 29.4% of the students exhibited some type of trauma to at least one tooth. A negative impact on oral health‐related quality of life was found in 53.1% of the sample. Traumatic dental injury was associated with a high impact on oral health‐related quality of life [OR = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.08‐2.39)] and overjet >3 mm [OR = 5.42 (95% CI: 3.66‐8.02)]. However, no statistically significant associations were found between TDI and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions

Prevalence of traumatic dental injury was high among the children who participated in the study, and it was associated with a high impact on oral health‐related quality of life as well as overjet >3 mm.     

Orthodontic treatment need,self‐esteem,and oral health‐related quality of life among 12‐yr‐old schoolchildren

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between orthodontic treatment need and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among 12‐yr‐old children. The study also assessed whether self‐esteem modifies and/or moderates this relationship. Cross‐sectional data on 406 schoolchildren aged 12 yr were analyzed. Data on socio‐economic and demographic characteristics, dental pain, self‐esteem, and OHRQoL were collected using validated questionnaires. Orthodontic treatment need was assessed, through dental examinations, using the dental aesthetic index (DAI). Multiple negative binomial regression and path analysis were used to estimate the association of orthodontic treatment need and self‐esteem with OHRQoL. A modifying effect of self‐esteem on the relationship between DAI and OHRQoL was observed. Self‐esteem did not mediate the abovementioned relationship. Children with lower scores of self‐esteem had worse OHRQoL among those with lower orthodontic treatment need (a DAI score of < 31). However, self‐esteem did not influence the association between DAI and OHRQoL in children with greater orthodontic treatment need (a DAI score of ≥ 31). Self‐esteem attenuated the impact of malocclusion on OHRQoL in children with minor or definite malocclusion, but not among those with severe or very severe malocclusion. Self‐esteem appears to buffer the impact of malocclusion on OHRQoL in children with minor orthodontic treatment need.     

Impact of dental caries on quality of life among preschool children: emphasis on the type of tooth and stages of progression

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to evaluate the impact of dental caries on the quality of life of preschool children and their parents/caretakers, with an emphasis on the type of tooth and stage of progression. A randomly selected sample of preschool children, 3–5 yrs of age, underwent an oral examination for the assessment of dental caries using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System II (ICDAS II) criteria. Parents/caretakers answered two questionnaires, one on the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the child [the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS)], and the other on the socio‐economic characteristics of the family. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi‐square test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, and Poisson regression. A total of 451 preschool children participated in the study. The majority of carious lesions exhibited severe decay (60.6%) and were found in both anterior (incisors/canines) and posterior (molars) teeth. The final Poisson model revealed negative impacts on quality of life from more advanced stages of dental caries, both in incisors/canines and molars. Child's age and household income were also associated with impact on quality of life. Carious lesions in more advanced stages of progression in anterior and posterior teeth were associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of preschool children.