Examining Oral Hygiene Behaviors, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, and Attitudes Toward Oral Health Among Minority Students.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the association between oral hygiene behaviors, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), oral health attitudes, and self-reported oral health problems among minority undergraduate students attending a state university in Florida. METHODS: Chi-square analysis was conducted to examine the differences in self-reported dental caries and bleeding gums by oral hygiene behaviors, daily habits, and past oral experiences. Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to compare OHRQoL and attitude items with self-reported oral health issues and demographics. RESULTS: A greater percentage of students (54.5%) who brushed for ≤1 minute experienced gum bleeding compared to 45.5% who did not report gum bleeding (p = 0.005). Median values for difficulty biting or chewing foods, took days off school, difficulty doing usual activities, and pain were significantly higher among those with self-reported dental caries and bleeding gums. Difficulty with speech significantly varied with the presence of bleeding gums and teeth insecurities (p = 0.027 and p = 0.011, respectively). Avoiding smiling experienced pain was significantly different among with teeth insecurities (p = 0.001, p = 0.031). Of the various attitude statements, "I value keeping my mouth healthy" significantly varied with dental caries and bleeding gums (p = 0.002; p = 0.005). Attitude toward acceptance of age-related tooth loss was significantly different with age (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence of self-reported oral health problems affecting OHRQoL and attitudes toward oral health. Improving oral hygiene behaviors with resources available for regular dental visits to minimize dental issues and improve OHRQoL among minority students is warranted.

An Assessment of the Subjective Psychological and Social Effects of Malocclusion-Related Dental Aesthetics and Its Influence on Body Self-Image and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults.

INTRODUCTION:  Malocclusion has a psychological impact related to the patient's age. It also influences the quality of life. This research aims to test the null hypothesis that there is no association between the self-perceived psychosocial impacts of dental aesthetics with the severity of malocclusion, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and self-image of the body in young adults seeking orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of young adults between 19 and 30 years old was selected for the study. The severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs were evaluated using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS) were used to evaluate the self-perceived effects of malocclusion. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:  The Kruskal-Wallis test is used to analyze the distribution of components with different grades of DAI. Spearman's correlation test evaluated the correlation between independent variables and their domains. The study utilized stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to assess the predictive value of independent factors on the PIDAQ and its domains. RESULTS:  A total of 181 subjects with a mean age of 24.4 ± 1.5 years, 42% males and 58% females, participated in this study. There was a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between all variables (OHIP-14, DAI, and BSS) and PIDAQ. There were significant correlations between the independent variables and the total score of PIDAQ (R2 = 0.16), psychological impact (R2 = 0.09), and social impact (R2 = 0.18), as well as dental self-confidence (R2 = 0.21) and aesthetic concern (R2 = 0.16). CONCLUSION: In young adults, the self-perceived impact of dental aesthetics is moderated by the severity of malocclusion, oral health-related quality of life, and body satisfaction. The null hypothesis is rejected.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in a Paediatric Population in the Dominican Republic.

Introduction: During the summer of 2019 and within the framework of a social dentistry program carried out in the low-income town of San Francisco de Macorís (Dominican Republic), a descriptive study was carried out on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), aiming to find out the oral health status of a population of children in the aforementioned Dominican city. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the oral health status of a child population and its relationship with the quality of life perceived by these children in the aforementioned population of San Francisco de Macorís in order to develop an specific oral health program taking into account not only the existing oral health status but also the perceptions and feelings of the child population in this regard. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a representative sample of children who were examined on their oral health status, following WHO guidelines, by professionals from the University of Seville (Spain) together with professionals from private practice (USA) and students from the Universidad Católica Nordestana (UCNE, Dominican Republic). Likewise, the children's parents voluntarily completed the Oral Quality of Life questionnaire COHIP-19 in its culturally adapted Spanish version. Results: For this purpose, 94 children with a mean age of 10.34 (SD 3.38) were observed in our study following WHO recommendations for oral health studies and evaluating OHQoL using the specific questionnaire validated in Spanish COHIP-19 in its short format (SF). The results show a state of oral health with a significant prevalence of caries (80.9%) and a DMFT of 1.70 (SD 1.90). The OHQoL perceived by these children shows that pain, bad breath or feeling sad because of the condition of their teeth were the factors with the worst evaluation score. Conclusions: The conclusion that mainly emerges from this study is that caries continues to be the main problem to be solved (more than other variables studied, such as malocclusion or fluorosis), and this ailment also causes pain, dysfunction, and bad breath and is therefore perceived as a problem to be solved in the children of this Dominican city.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Rare Disorders of Congenital Facial Weakness.

Congenital facial weakness (CFW) encompasses a heterogenous set of rare disorders presenting with decreased facial movement from birth, secondary to impaired function of the facial musculature. The aim of the present study is to provide an analysis of subject-reported oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in congenital facial weakness (CFW) disorders. Forty-four subjects with CFW and age- and sex- matched controls were enrolled in an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study. Demographic data, medical and surgical history, comprehensive oral examination, and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were obtained. Compared to unaffected controls, subjects with CFW had higher OHIP-14 scores overall (mean ± SD: 13.11 ± 8.11 vs. 4.46 ± 4.98, p < 0.0001) and within five of seven oral health domains, indicating decreased OHRQoL. Although subjects with Moebius syndrome (MBS) were noted to have higher OHIP-14 scores than those with Hereditary Congenital Facial Paresis (HCFP), there was no significant correlation in OHIP-14 score to age, sex, or specific diagnosis. An increase in OHIP-14 scores in subjects was detected in those who had undergone reanimation surgery. In conclusion, subjects with CFW had poorer OHRQoL compared to controls, and subjects with MBS had poorer OHRQoL than subjects with HCFP. This study provides better understanding of oral health care needs and quality of life in a CFW cohort and suggests that guidelines for dental treatment are required.

Orthodontic Status and Association with Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life-A Study of 16-Year-Old Norwegians with a Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between clinical orthodontic indicators and oral-health-related quality of life, adjusted for socio-demographic factors, focusing on 16-year-old patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty-two patients with CL/P, representing cleft-lip (CL), cleft-palate (CP), unilateral/bilateral cleft-lip-palate (UCLP/BCLP), enrolled in the national CLP-Team, Bergen, Norway. METHOD: A cross-sectional study by two orthodontists assessing the number of teeth, intermaxillary sagittal relation (ANB-angle), dental arch and occlusion of 16-year-old patients with CL/P. All completed a digital questionnaire including self-reported socio-demographic variables, OHIP-14 questionnaire and dental aesthetics. Cross-tabulations with Pearson's Chi-square test were used to identify associations between self-reported OHRQoL and socio-demographic and clinical indicators. Multiple variable analyses were conducted with binary logistic regression analysis using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess associations between OHRQoL and clinical indicators adjusted for socio-demographic variables. Ethical approval was granted by the regional ethics committee. RESULTS: Patients with UCLP and BCLP had poorer clinical indicators compared to patients with CL and CP (p < 0.05). A total of 80% of the patients had OHIP-14 > 0. The highest oral impact was reported for psychological domains and articulation and the least for functional domains. Respondents with BCLP and those with poor intermaxillary relationships (ANB < 0°) reported a high impact on OHRQoL (p < 0.05). No statistically significant associations between other clinical indicators and socio-demographic variables such as gender, educational aspiration, and place of residence were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed an association between severe cleft diagnosis, missing teeth, misaligned teeth, negative overjet, and poor OHRQoL, but a statistically significant association was found only between OHRQoL and poor intermaxillary sagittal relations (unfavorable profile). To improve OHRQoL among patients with clefts, there is a need for an individual follow-up and prioritization of oral healthcare.

Poor Self-Rated Sleep Quality and Quantity Associated with Poor Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Indigenous Australian Adults.

BACKGROUND: Indigenous Australians score worse on both sleep and oral health. This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and quantity associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Indigenous Australian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 728 Indigenous Australian adults aged 18+ years was conducted. Exposure variables were sleep quality and quantity. The primary outcome variable was Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP14), which has been used to assess OHRQoL. Multivariable log-Poisson regression models were applied to estimate the mean ratios (MRs) for mean OHIP14 scores. RESULTS: The average OHIP14 score was 14.9, and the average amount of sleep was 6.8 h/night. After adjusting for all covariates, self-rated very bad sleep quality was associated with 2.2 times (MR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.97-2.37) higher OHIP14 scores than those who rated their sleep quality as very good. Participants who self-reported sleeping 7-8 h/night had 0.9 times (MR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.83-0.95) lower OHIP14 scores than those sleeping more than 8 h. CONCLUSIONS: The average number of sleep hours for Indigenous participants were lower than recommended (7-8 h/night). Our findings indicate that poor sleep quality and quantity, and oral health-related behaviours associated with sleep deprivation were positively associated with poor oral health related quality of life among Indigenous Australian adults.

Influence of malocclusion on OHRQoL in adolescents in initial orthodontic treatment phase.

OBJECTIVES: Besides correcting malocclusions, another main objective of orthodontic treatment is to improve patients' oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aimed to assess changes in OHRQoL of children within the first six months of orthodontic therapy with fixed orthodontic appliances. METHODS: 85 patients aged 11 to 14 years requiring fixed orthodontic appliance therapy were included. The children completed the German version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ-G-11-14) before (T0), 1 month (T1) and 6 months (T2) after the start of orthodontic treatment. The type of malocclusion was categorized according to the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). RESULTS: The initial type of malocclusion affected the children's OHRQoL, whereas gender and age did not. The IOTN dental health component (DHC) had a significant impact on the CPQ score (median CPQ of 15.00 for the group DHC 4 vs. 22.50 for DHC 5, p = 0.032). The onset of orthodontic treatment initially affected the CPQ domains "Oral symptoms" and "Functional limitations, with a change versus baseline of 2.00 (p = 0.001), but improved again after 6 months. Regression analysis demonstrated that children with an IOTN DHC 5 malocclusion experienced a greater impact on their ORHQoL, as indicated by a CPQ score 7.35 points higher than that of children with an IOTN DHC 4 malocclusion (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: At the beginning of orthodontic treatment, the OHRQoL slightly worsens, probably due to the discomfort and appearance of the appliances. However, 6 months after the start of orthodontic treatment, OHRQoL improved again in patients with severe malocclusion (IOTN 4 and 5), and approached baseline values. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results help the clinician to better understand specific aspects of oral health that may be affected by different malocclusions, thereby improving the child's satisfaction and overall quality of life.

Surgical Correction and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) Evaluation of Non-syndromic Congenital Double Lip: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Congenital double lip is a rare clinical finding that is more common in the upper lip, but the lower lip can also be involved in a few cases. It has no gender predilection, and its incidence rate is yet unknown. It can be classified into two types: congenital or acquired. Congenital type results from the persistence of the sulcus between the pars glabrosa and the pars villosa, while the acquired type occurs secondary to trauma and oral habits such as lip sucking and lip biting. It can be syndromic or non-syndromic based on the other systemic involvement. In the present case, a 24-year-old male patient presented to the outpatient department (OPD) with the chief complaint of an excessive tissue fold visible in relation to his upper lip while smiling and talking, which posed an aesthetic concern to the patient and decreased his self-esteem. The oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was taken before and after the treatment to assess patient satisfaction and improvement in quality of life after surgery. The patient was diagnosed with a non-syndromic congenital double lip based on clinical history and oral examination. The surgical removal of excessive lip tissue was done, and the lesion healed completely with no recurrence up to a six-month follow-up. This case report illustrates the uncomplicated surgical treatment for congenital double lips and improves the patient's aesthetic.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Pediatric Oral Health: A Review.

This narrative review examines the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on pediatric oral health, emphasizing disparities in dental caries prevalence and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Utilizing an extensive literature search through PubMed, Google Scholar, and the chat.consensus.app plugin, we synthesized findings from studies published up to December 2023. The review highlights a consistent association between lower SES and adverse pediatric oral health outcomes, influenced by parental education, household income, food security, and neighborhood conditions. It also underscores the importance of the life-course perspective, showing how early-life socioeconomic disadvantages can have long-lasting effects on oral health. Furthermore, the review points to the critical role of school-based oral health education programs and the complex interplay between mental health, SES, and pediatric oral health. By examining the impact of socioeconomic factors across different childhood stages and the effectiveness of educational interventions, this review calls for targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities in pediatric oral health. The findings advocate for a multifaceted approach to improve oral health outcomes for children across socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to oral health care and promoting overall well-being.

Awareness and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with dental implants compared to tooth supported FPD: A questionnaire study.

Background: Recently researches in the field of dental implantology have increased, in spite of that very limited knowledge is available to the patients about dental implants as an option for replacement of missing teeth. Goal of replacement of missing teeth is not only functional rehabilitation but overall improvement in quality of life of the patient. Aim: To assess the awareness of dental implants and to compare oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients treated with implant supported fixed prosthesis (ISPs) and teeth supported fixed prosthesis (FPDs). Methods: & Material: General implant awareness questionnaire was used to assess the awareness of dental implants in 500 participants. Oral health impact profile (OHIP) questionnaire was used to compare OHRQoL between 300 patients treated with ISPs and 300 patients treated with FPDs. Statistical analysis: Sample size was taken to estimate difference between groups at 30 % & 80% power and 5% risk. IBM SPSS 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was used for statistical analysis. Chi square test and independent t- test was used to find statistical difference between variables. Results: 27.2% participants were aware about dental implants. 74.4% participants agreed that missing teeth should be replaced with prosthetic options. Dentists were primary source of knowledge (66%) of dental implants for patients. Parameters like functional limitations, psychological discomfort and pain during mastication were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in FPDs compared to implant supported prosthesis. Conclusions: Awareness of dental implants in general population needs to be increased. Functional and psychological comfort was significantly higher in ISPs compared to teeth supported FPDs.

Charting the Future of Oral Health: A Bibliometric Exploration of Quality-of-Life Research in Dentistry.

In recent decades, the focus of health research has shifted to the impact of disease or impairment on how people proceed, behave, and experience quality of life. People's lives are affected by oral diseases in various ways. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is inextricably linked to general health and well-being, and it has far-reaching consequences for clinical practice and dentistry research. Particularly in Indonesia, increasing attention to OHRQoL is related to several concerning oral conditions, such as the extremely high number of cases of tooth decay and inflammation of dental supportive tissue that inexplicably lowers the population's OHRQoL. To date, there has yet to be a bibliometric study of OHRQoL research in Indonesia. We intend to map the existing scientific literature on OHRQoL research in Indonesia during the last five years and investigate its research gaps. Scopus and the Sinta Database (a national database through Google Scholar) were used to retrieve Indonesian OHRQoL research publications from 2018 to 2023. Bibliographic data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25.0 and VOS Viewer 1.6.19. The data demonstrate that the number of OHRQoL-related publications in Indonesia and the number of local writers have increased over time. More of these publications were published in prestigious national journals than foreign ones. The study found that local researchers tended to conduct OHRQoL research on children and older populations, raising the issue of tooth decay or tooth loss. Exploring other subjects, such as dental anxiety, patient satisfaction, chewing performance, aesthetics, and appearance, and other populations (people with oral cancer and other systemic conditions) could broaden the environment of OHRQoL research in Indonesia.

A randomized clinical trial investigating the effect of three vital tooth bleaching protocols on oral health-related quality of life.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) resulting from three vital tooth bleaching protocols. Methods: The participants (n = 105) were randomly assigned to one of three vital bleaching treatment groups: home bleaching (HB), in-office bleaching (IOB), or combined bleaching (CB). HB involved the use of custom-made trays and 10% carbamide peroxide for a 14-day treatment period. IOB utilized 37.5% hydrogen peroxide applied in three cycles. CB treatment involved the use of IOB followed by HB. Tooth colour change was evaluated using a shade guide (ΔVS) and a digital spectrophotometry device (ΔES). The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and Oral Impact on Daily Performance-22 (OIDP-22) instruments were used to assess changes in OHRQoL at baseline, 15-days and 6-month recalls. Linear mixed models were used to estimate between- and within-group differences. Results: All bleaching protocols led to significant improvements in overall OHIP-14 scores at the 6-month recall (p ≤ 0.037). CB and IOB treatments were associated with more substantial positive impacts on overall scores, psychological discomfort, physical disability (CB only), and psychological disability (CB only) compared to HB (p ≤ 0.011). Significant enhancements in OIDP-22 scores were observed in the CB and HB groups at the 6-month recall compared to baseline (p ≤ 0.006), with evidence indicating that these improvements were greater in the CB group compared to the IOB group (p = 0.007). Conclusion: All bleaching treatments demonstrated a positive impact on OHRQoL. However, the positive impact was most consistent across domains and age groups in the CB group. The positive impact was less pronounced in older age groups.

Influence of genetic polymorphisms on oral health-related quality of life after root canal treatment

Abstract To evaluate the impact of genetic polymorphisms in interleukins (IL1A rs17561, rs1304037; IL10 rs1800871; IL1RN rs9005), nitric oxide (NOS2 rs2779249, rs2897518) and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS1 rs243327, rs33977706) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients under-going root canal treatment (RCT). Methods: The sample consisted of 108 participants, presenting single-rooted teeth with asymptomatic periapical periodontitis. The impact of the OHRQoL was recorded using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) before, seven, and 30 days after RCT. Saliva samples were collected as a source of genomic DNA. Genetic polymorphisms were genotyped by Real-Time PCR using the Taqman method. Univariate and Multivariate analyses were used (p<0.05). Results: A significant difference was observed for the polymorphism rs2297518 in the NOS2 gene in functional limitation in the codominant (p=0.037) and recessive (p=0.001) models; in the physical pain (p<0.001 in both models); in psychological discomfort (p<0.001 in both models); in physical disability (p<0.001 in both models) and in psychological disability (p<0.001 in both models). Polymorphisms in the SOCS1 gene, in the recessive model, rs33977706 (p=0.045) and rs243327 (p=0.019), influenced the OHRQoL in the psychological discomfort domain. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in NOS2 and SOCS1 genes influenced the OHRQoL of patients undergoing RCT.

Resumo Avaliar o impacto de polimorfismos genéticos em interleucinas (IL1A rs17561, rs1304037; IL10 rs1800871; IL1RN rs9005), óxido nítrico (NOS2 rs2779249, rs2897518) e supressor da sinalização de citocinas (SOCS1 rs243327, rs33977706) na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB) de pacientes submetidos a tratamento endodôntico (TE). Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 108 participantes, que apresentavam dentes unirradiculares com lesão periapical assintomática. O impacto da QVRSB foi registrado usando o Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) antes, sete e 30 dias após o TE. Amostras de saliva foram coletadas como fonte de DNA genômico. Os polimorfismos genéticos foram genotipados por PCR em tempo real usando o método Taqman. Análises univariadas e multivariadas foram utilizadas (p<0,05). Resultados: Observou-se diferença significativa para o polimorfismo rs2297518 no gene NOS2 na limitação funcional nos modelos codominante (p=0,037) e recessivo (p=0,001); na dor física (p<0,001 em ambos os modelos); no desconforto psicológico (p<0,001 em ambos os modelos); na deficiência física (p<0,001 em ambos os modelos) e na deficiência psicológica (p<0,001 em ambos os modelos). Polimorfismos no gene SOCS1, no modelo recessivo, rs33977706 (p=0,045) e rs243327 (p=0,019), influenciaram a QVRSB no domínio desconforto psicológico. Conclusões: Polimorfismos nos genes NOS2 e SOCS1 influenciaram a QVRSB de pacientes submetidos a TE.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the Malocclusion Impact Scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC/C).

BACKGROUND: The Malocclusion Impact Scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC) is a newly developed questionnaire used to measure the parental perceptions of the impact of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children aged 3-5 years. This study describes the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the MIS-EC questionnaire into Chinese version (MIS-EC/C). METHODS: The MIS-EC/C was developed in accordance with international standards. The scale was then evaluated in a cross-sectional study comprising 210 preschool children aged 3-5 years. The reliability of the MIS-EC/C was tested using internal consistency and test-retest reliability analyses. Cross-cultural validity, discriminant validity and convergent validity were tested. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α value and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for the MIS-EC/C were 0.943 and 0.873, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the fitting indicators of the two-factor model all reached the standard. The MIS-EC/C can differentiate preschool children with malocclusion from those without malocclusion. In addition, there is a good relationship between the MIS-EC/C and the general oral health question. CONCLUSION: The MIS-EC/C is a reliable and effective assessment tool for assessing the effect of malocclusion on the OHRQoL of preschool children in China.

Oral health knowledge is associated with oral health-related quality of life: a survey of first-year undergraduate students enrolled in an American university.

BACKGROUND: Oral health knowledge forms part of oral health literacy that enables individuals to inform appropriate oral health decisions and actions. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) characterizes self-perception of well-being influenced by oral health. This study aimed to examine the relationship between oral health knowledge and OHRQoL. METHODS: A random sample of 19-to-24-year-old first-year undergraduate students (n = 372) in Minnesota, United States of America was used. Each student was assessed with an online survey using the Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge (CMOHK) and the OHRQoL items of the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults. Relationships between OHRQoL parameters and CMOHK together with other covariates were assessed using ordinal regression models. Associations between OHRQoL parameters were examined with the Kendall's tau-b method. RESULTS: Dry mouth (45%) was the most reported OHRQoL issue. The respondents showing good oral health knowledge were less likely to experience speech or pronunciation difficulty (ß=-1.12, p = 0.0006), interrupted sleep (ß=-1.43, p = 0.0040), taking days off (ß=-1.71, p = 0.0054), difficulty doing usual activities (ß=-2.37, p = 0.0002), or reduced participation in social activities due to dental or oral issues (ß=-1.65, p = 0.0078). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested a protective effect of better oral health knowledge on specific OHRQoL issues. In addition to provision of affordable dental services, university-wide oral health education can be implemented to improve OHRQoL in undergraduate students.

Inequalities in the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among Children in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and its determinants among elementary school children in Saudi Arabia, recognizing OHRQoL as a critical aspect of overall health and well-being. BACKGROUND: OHRQoL is an essential element of health, influencing children's ability to engage in daily activities, learning, and social interactions. In Saudi Arabia, despite free dental care, significant occurrences of untreated dental caries among children highlight disparities in oral health outcomes, likely influenced by socioeconomic factors. METHOD: Baseline data from a longitudinal randomized controlled trial conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was utilized. Participants were elementary school students attending public schools, selected using stratified cluster random sampling. The study focused on both deciduous and permanent dentition, excluding children with medical issues. Data collection involved clinical evaluations and parental questionnaires, adhering to WHO criteria. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed significant associations between age (mean: 98.99 months, 95% confidence interval (CI): 97.8-100.1) and untreated caries (mean: 2.54, 95% CI: 2.34-2.74) with OHRQoL among children in Saudi Arabia. Older children (Rate Ratio (RR) = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06) and those with untreated caries (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) had higher rates of experiencing suboptimal oral health outcomes. However, no statistically significant associations were found for other variables such as gender, family income, parental education, oral hygiene frequency, and dental visits with respect to OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: The study underscores that age and untreated caries are significantly and positively associated with OHRQoL in children. These findings point to the need for targeted oral health interventions and policies within the sociocultural context of Saudi Arabia, particularly focusing on early prevention and addressing socioeconomic inequalities.

Posible Bruxismo en Calidad de Vida Relacionada con la Salud Oral en Pacientes que Tuvieron y no SARS CoV-2

La pandemia por SARS-CoV2 cambió el ritmo de vida habitual y como consecuencia tuvo influencia para el desarrollo de situaciones parafuncionales, como el posible bruxismo, generando una huella en la calidad de vida. Determinar el posible bruxismo en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud oral (CVRSO) en pacientes que tuvieron y no SARS-Cov2 en Yucatán, México, durante junio-diciembre de 2021. estudio correlacional, descriptivo, transversal, participaron 119 sujetos del estado de Yucatán que presentaron y no SARS-CoV2 a través de la aplicación de forma virtual en la plataforma Google Forms de dos cuestionarios digitalizados: el primero para la medición del posible bruxismo elaborado y adaptado por la Dra. Celia Elena del Perpetuo Socorro Mendiburu-Zavala con base en los autores Ordóñez-Plaza et al. (2016), González-Emsoto et al. (2015) y De La Hoz-Aizpurua & Winocur (2014). Para el estudio de la CVRSO se empleó el OHIP-14 diseñado por Castrejón-Pérez et al. (2010). Utilizando pruebas estadísticas como Ji Cuadra, Kruskal-Wallis y la prueba U de Mann-Whitney para identificar factores de asociación. Resultados: con respecto a la prevalencia del posible bruxismo en sujetos con SARS-CoV2 (n=43) según la edad, los adultos maduros (36 a 59 años) y mayores (de 60 años y más), presentaron mayores porcentajes que los jóvenes (18 a 35 años). Para determinar el efecto del posible bruxismo en la CVRSO en personas que tuvieron y no SARS-CoV2 se utilizó la prueba estadística de Kruskal-Wallis, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ninguno de los grupos (c ∑ = 2.87; p = .411). El efecto del posible bruxismo en la CVRSO en personas que tuvieron y no SARS-CoV2 no tiene un efecto estadísticamente significativo. Sin embargo, el posible bruxismo altera la CVRSO y sí hay una fuerte influencia de factores como la edad y contexto cultural.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic changed the usual rhythm of life and therefore had an influence for the development of parafunctional situations, such as possible bruxism, generating an imprint on quality of life. To determine possible bruxism in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients who did and did not have SARS- CoV-2 in Yucatan, Mexico, during June-December 2021. Materials and methods: correlational, descriptive, cross- sectional study, 119 subjects from the state of Yucatan who did and did not present SARS-CoV-2 participated through the virtual application in the Google Forms platform of two digitized questionnaires: the first for the measurement of possible bruxism elaborated and adapted by Dr. Celia Elena del Perpetuo Socorro Mendiburu-Zavala based on the authors Ordóñez Plaza et al. (2016), González-Emsoto et al. (2015), and De La Hoz-Aizpurua & Winocur (2014). For the study of the OHRQoL the OHIP-14 designed by Castrejón-Pérez et al. was used. They were used statistical tests such as Ji Cuadra, Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann- Whitney U test to identify factors of association. Results: regarding the prevalence of possible bruxism in subjects with SARS-CoV-2 (n=43) according to age, mature adults (36 to 59 years) and older adults (60 years and older) presented higher percentages than young adults (18 to 35 years). To determine the effect of possible bruxism on OHRQoL in people who did and did not have SARS-CoV-2, the Kruskal- Wallis statistical test was used; no statistically significant differences were found between any of the groups (c∑ = 2.87; p = .411). the effect of possible bruxism on OHRQoL in subjects who did and did not have SARS-CoV-2 did not have a statistically significant effect. However, possible bruxism did alter OHRQoL and there was a strong influence of factors such as age and cultural context.

Measures of oral health-related quality of life in patients with bone graft and implant prosthetic rehabilitation at the anterior of mandible/maxilla among young and middle-aged adults: a retrospective pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Dental implants are believed to contribute to improved masticatory function and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL), but the details remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation after bone graft at the anterior mandible/maxilla based on OHRQOL, particularly in young and middle-aged patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 11 patients who received bone grafts at the anterior mandible/maxilla and dental implant surgery. Chewing function score and OHRQOL (using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire) were evaluated before and after completion of an implant-retained bridge or removable implant-supported denture. RESULTS: Chewing function score tended to improve slightly after dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation, but none of the observed differences were significant. In the assessment of OHRQOL, relatively worse domain scores before completion of dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation were seen for Functional limitation, Psychological discomfort, and Psychological disability. Conversely, Social disability seemed relatively unaffected by tooth loss. All domain scores and total scores for items other than Physical disability and Social disability were significantly improved after completion of dental implant rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss in the anterior region may not significantly affect chewing function score, but can have a significant impact on OHRQOL. Bone grafts and dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation can resolve these problems, and the results of this study will benefit both patients and medical professionals in terms of treatment planning and informed consent.

Social Anxiety and Orthognathic Surgery Effect on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the impact of patients' social anxiety on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the context of orthognathic surgery. METHODS: The study involved a cohort of 70 patients who were tasked with completing a comprehensive questionnaire aimed at assessing various facets of their OHRQoL at distinct stages of treatment: pre-surgery, within one month post surgery, and more than one month post surgery. Statistical analyses were conducted in the form of t-test. RESULTS: Out of the 70 participants, 27 were male (38.57%) and 43 were female (61.43%). The sample distribution comprised 30 (43%) subjects in the pre-surgical stage, two (3%) at one month post surgery, and 38 (54%) more than one month post surgery. In relation to the t-test results, we found variations in the significance of the results for each question, with multiple results showing patients who reported experiencing discomfort significantly outnumbering those who did not (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Social anxiety and orthognathic surgery both demonstrate significant influences on OHRQoL. Subsequent research should delve into specific areas where patients experience the greatest impact.

The Development and Evaluation of the Slovenian Version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS-SVN).

Introduction: There has been no valid and reliable instrument available to measure the impact of oral health on the quality of life of Slovenian preschool children. The main aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of the first Slovenian instrument assessing Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) preschool children: the ECOHIS-SVN. Methods: The ECOHIS-SVN was developed using forward-backward translations and with the participation of children aged under six and their parents. The children's teeth were examined, and parents were asked to complete questionnaires, including the ECOHIS-SVN. The internal consistency of ECOHIS-SVN was evaluated through the calculation of Cronbach's alpha (α), test-retest reliability with an intra-class-correlation coefficient (ICC), convergent validity with Spearman's rank correlation (r) and criterion validity with the Mann-Whitney test. The association between the ECOHIS-SVN score and parents' age, educational level, self-reported oral health and OHIP-SVN14 was estimated using multiple linear regression. Results: In the study, 255 children participated, with a mean age of 4.8 years (±0.8). The ECOHIS-SVN questionnaire was completed by the parents of all 255 children and re-filled by 71 parents. The results of the total ECOHIS-SVN scale include α=0.85, ICC=0.85, and r=0.6-0.75. A statistically significant association was found between the ECOHIS-SVN and parents' age and between the ECOHIS-SVN and parents' OHIP-SVN14 in the whole group and in the subgroup of children with no teeth affected by cavitated caries (dmft=0) (p=0.025, p=0.028), respectively. Conclusion: ECOHIS-SVN enables further studies to assess the OHRQoL of preschool children in the Slovenian-speaking population.