A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the relationship between the quality of life and oral health of athletes (soccer and basketball players) at a private Peruvian university. Eighty-nine athletes were evaluated. Their oral health was assessed using the epidemiologic index relating to decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), the O'Leary plaque control record, and the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) system. Their quality of life was assessed using the Spanish version of the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49Sp) self-questionnaire. The resulting data were then analyzed using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Spearman rank order correlation) statistics. The athletes presented a mean (SD) DMFT of 4.46 (3.66): 1.40 decayed teeth, 0.02 missing teeth, and 3.04 filled teeth. The mean (SD) O'Leary index score was 45.78 (22.04). In the PSR evaluation, 32.77% of sextants were assigned code 2, 32.77% were assigned code 1, and 30.33% were assigned code 0. According to the OHIP-49Sp survey, the oral health dimensions with higher scores were functional limitation (7.37), physical pain (8.76), and psychological distress (4.80). The Spearman analysis revealed no statistically significant correlation between oral health and quality of life. Moderate caries risk, poor oral hygiene, and probable gingivitis were found in Peruvian university athletes. However, their quality of life was not compromised by their oral health status.
Keywords: athletes; dental caries; oral health; quality of life; sport.