Oral health-related quality of life of schoolchildren: impact of clinical and psychosocial variables

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Besides the clinical aspects, the patient's perspective of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) may be influenced by a series of individual characteristics. AIM: The aim was to investigate the impact of clinical and psychosocial variables on the OHRQoL of Brazilian schoolchildren. DESIGN: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted with children of 8-10 year old attending public (15) and private (5) schools (n = 749). Questionnaires were applied to parents to obtain socioeconomic characteristics, and children were interviewed. Assessment of OHRQoL was performed using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8-10 (CPQ). Oral health examinations included periodontal condition, dental caries, dental trauma, and malocclusion assessment. Unadjusted analyses were undertaken using t-tests and one-way analysis of variance. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the effects of independent variables on CPQ scores. RESULTS: Factors associated with higher CPQ scores in the linear regression analysis after adjustments were family income, presence of decayed teeth, self-reported dental trauma, dental fear, and dental pain. CONCLUSION: Oral health-related quality of life was influenced by psychosocial and clinical variables.