Pathways between toothache and children's oral health-related quality of life

Abstract

Background: Toothache is considered a multifactorial health problem that is associated with oral diseases and comorbidities.

Aim: Evaluate the direct and indirect pathways between toothache and children's oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL).

Design: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with a random sample of children from southern Brazil. The variables included demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and oral health characteristics. Toothache was collected through the question 'Have you had toothache in the last 12 months?'. COHRQoL was collected by the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 in his Brazilian version. The pathways between the associated variables, toothache, and COHRQoL were analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Results: A total of 449 schoolchildren were evaluated. The prevalence of toothache was 50.1% (95% confidence interval: 45.4%-54.8%). The poorer COHRQoL was directly affected by the presence of toothache. Considering the indirect pathways, the low household income, high household crowding, low age, the use of public health service, and the untreated dental caries influenced indirectly in the worst COHRQoL via toothache.

Conclusion: This study determined that COHRQoL was directly influenced by toothache. Meanwhile, indirect pathways were observed. These findings justify initiatives that highlight the importance of the reduction of oral diseases that can lead to pain experiences.

Keywords: child; oral health; quality of life; structural equation modeling; toothache.