Impact of untreated dental caries on the quality of life of Brazilian children: population-based study

BackgroundThe assessment of oral health should consider clinical and biopsychosocial aspects. AimTo evaluate the impact of untreated dental caries on the quality of life of children. DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted with 647 Brazilian children. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ(8-10)) and the oral health' global indicator were administered to the children and used as the outcomes. Parents answered a general questionnaire, and oral clinical examinations were performed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney test, and Poisson's regression analysis (=5%). The psychometric properties of the CPQ(8-10) were tested for younger age group (6/7years). ResultsUntreated caries was a predictor of impact on quality of life for the following items: pain in teeth/mouth' (PR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.41-2.04), difficulty biting/chewing hard foods' (PR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.05-1.56), difficulty eating what you wanted to eat' (PR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.29-2.02), trouble sleeping' (PR=1.64; 95% CI: 1.27-2.13), missed school' (PR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.24-2.12), trouble doing homework' (PR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.12-2.31), and difficulty paying attention in class' (PR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.01-1.96). ConclusionChildren with untreated dental caries feel greater negative impacts on quality of life than children without untreated caries.