Oral health-related quality of life among Brazilian preschool children

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral health conditions on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in population-based sample of Brazilian preschool children. A further aim was to identify the influence of socio-demographic profile and perceptions regarding general health and oral health status on OHRQoL.

Methods: An epidemiological survey was carried out at public and private preschools in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The sample consisted of 1632 5-year-old male and female preschoolers randomly selected using a multi-stage sampling technique and their parents/caregivers. Oral examinations of the children were performed by a single, previously calibrated examiner for the assessment of dental caries experience, malocclusion, traumatic dental injury and developmental defects of enamel. Caregivers were asked to complete the Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and a form on socio-demographic data. Descriptive, bivariate and adjusted Poisson regression model analyses were carried out.

Results: In the child section of the B-ECOHIS, OHRQoL was negatively impacted by decayed, missing and filled teeth [prevalence ratios (PR) = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.88-2.52], position of the child among siblings in the family (PR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.04-1.39), type of preschool (PR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.10-1.69), age of parents/caregivers (PR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04-1.34), monthly household income (PR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18-1.85) and perception of the child's general health status (PR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.06-1.51). In the family section, the adjusted results demonstrated a negative impact on OHRQoL associated with dental caries experience (PR = 3.40; 95% CI, 2.83-4.08), age of parents/caregivers (PR = 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33) and monthly household income (PR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.72).

Conclusions: Dental caries experience was the only normative criteria with a negative impact on OHRQoL. Families with low income and younger parents reported a greater impact on quality of life. According to parents' perceptions, a poor general health status rating was related to poorer quality of life among the children.

Keywords: oral health; pediatric dentistry; quality of life.