Health-related quality of life of children aged 11 to 14 years with orofacial conditions

Objective: To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of 11- to 14-year-old children with orofacial conditions. Design: Thirty-nine patients with orofacial conditions were compared with 32 patients with dental caries. Outcome Measure: The multidimensional 37-item Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 11- to 14-year-old children (CPQ(11-14)). This forms one component of the Child Oral Health Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results: The orofacial group had slightly higher scores on the CPQ(11-14) than the dental group (p <.05). The scores were slightly to moderately higher on the functional limitations (p <.01) and social well-being (p <.01) domains. The groups did not differ with respect to oral symptoms or emotional wellbeing. Mouth breathing, problems with speech, missing school, being teased, and being asked questions about their condition were the only issues reported more frequently by the orofacial group (p <.01). There was no evidence of social inhibition or withdrawal in the orofacial group. The children with orofacial conditions rated their oral health better than the children with dental decay (p <.05). In both groups, the majority of children reported that their condition had little impact on their life overall. Conclusions: Based on CPO11-14 scores, there were few differences in the HRQoL of 11- to 14-year-old children with orofacial conditions, compared with children with dental caries. This suggests that the majority of these children are well adjusted and able to cope with the adversities they experience as a result of their conditions. This may reflect the quality of the team approach used at the treatment setting at which they were recruited.