Oral health-related quality of life of children with oligodontia

Objectives.  To assess the functional and psychosocial impact of oligodontia in children aged 11–14 years.
Methods.  Children aged 11–14 years with oligodontia were recruited from orthodontic clinics when they presented for orthodontic evaluation. All completed a copy of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 11- to 14-year olds, a measure of the functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders. Information on the number and pattern of missing teeth for each child were obtained from charts and radiographs.
Results.  Thirty-six children were included in the study. The number of missing teeth ranged from one to 14 (mean = 6.8). Just over three-quarters of the subjects reported experiencing one or more functional and psychosocial impacts 'Often' or 'Everyday/almost everyday'. Correlations between scale and sub-scale scores and the number of missing teeth were weak and nonsignificant.
Conclusions.  Children with oligodontia experience substantial functional and psychosocial impacts from the condition. When compared with other clinical groups, children with oligodontia appear to have worse oral health-related quality of life than children with dental decay and malocclusion, but better oral health-related quality of life than children with oro-facial conditions.