Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Polish adults with periodontal diseases, oral mucosal diseases and dental caries.

BACKGROUND: With the development of medicine and extending the human lifespan, the next challenge for healthcare providers is to improve the quality of life. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) is a worldwide known questionnaire that is used for assessing oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions and dental caries on OHRQoL among Polish adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study consisting of an intraoral clinical examination and a questionnaire was conducted among 250 adult patients seeking dental treatment at the University Dental Clinic (UDC) in Cracow, Poland. The obtained clinical data included the number of decayed, filled and missing teeth (DMFT), the presence of fixed or removable dental prostheses, the type and size of oral mucosal diseases, periodontal data based on a visual examination as well as the approximal plaque index (API) and modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) scores, and the patient's dental history. A modified OHIP questionnaire was used, which had been previously validated amongst patients with periodontal and oral mucosal diseases. RESULTS: In patients reporting problems with oral mucosa, the OHIP-14 scores in relation to oral mucosa and other soft tissues were higher, and the scores in relation to the teeth were lower than in patients who did not suffer from oral mucosal diseases (0.86 (0.25-1.81) vs. 0.29 (0-1.00); p < 0.001, and 0.39 (0.07-1.07) vs. 0.68 (0.29-1.29); p = 0.048, respectively). Among patients looking for treatment due to caries and other dental problems, the OHIP-14 scores relating to dentures were higher and the scores relating to oral mucosa were lower than in patients who did not report such problems (2.07 (0.96-2.15) vs. 0.64 (0-1.38); p = 0.043, and 0.14 (0-0.56) vs. 0.57 (0.14-1.31); p = 0.001, respectively). Among patients noticing prosthetic problems, the OHIP-14 scores relating to dentures were higher than in those who did not suffer from such issues (2.07 (1.23-2.36) vs. 0.64 (0-1.36); p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms reported by patients with periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions and dental caries influenced their OHRQoL. The proper prophylaxis and treatment of these diseases are important to avoid the worsening of OHRQoL.

Oral Health Impact Profile in adult Polish population.

BACKGROUND: Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a significant patient-oriented outcome which should be considered in diagnostic, decision making and therapeutic process by dentists. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of a condition of teeth, oral mucosa and dentures on the OHRQoL among patients seeking dental treatment in the University Dental Clinic (UDC) in Kraków, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 250 patients took part in a cross-sectional study conducted in the UDC in Kraków. Collected clinical data included: oral mucosa and periodontal condition, number of Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth (DMFT index), presence of dentures. Questionnaire part of the study has been based on OHIP-14 questionnaire. RESULTS: The condition of teeth worsened OHRQoL in following groups of patients: first-time visitors, smokers, with periodontal diseases and without oral mucosal diseases. There was a positive significant correlation between number of decayed teeth and OHRQoL related to teeth. The condition of oral mucosa significantly impaired OHRQoL in: women, patients with oral mucosal diseases and those who undergone prosthetic treatment in the last year. There was a correlation between number of missing teeth, DMFT index, age and subscale 2 of the form. The condition of dentures significantly impaired the OHRQoL in patients: who used removable dental prostheses, undergone prosthetic treatment in the last year and females. There was a positive correlation between subscale 3 of the questionnaire and number of missing teeth and DMFT index and a negative correlation with number of filled teeth within this subscale. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of patient's OHRQoL is one of important components for successful dental treatment.