Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: January | Volume: 7 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 86-96
The Impact of Oral Health Conditions on Quality of Life among 13-14 Year Old Children in Bangalore City, India
Nikhil Ahuja1, Pramila. M2, Nirmal Ahuja3
1Senior Lecturer, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Vaidik Dental College and Research Centre, Daman, India.
2Professor, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, M. R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
3Masters of Public Health (MPH), Faculty, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai.
Corresponding Author: Nikhil Ahuja
ABSTRACT
Background: Oral diseases have a significant impact on physical, social, and psychological well-being of children. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral health conditions on quality of life among children in Bangalore city.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 children aged 13-14 years from government and private schools in Bangalore. The children were clinically examined using modified WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (1997). Oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed using shorter version of Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14).Children were asked about information on self- perception of oral health. Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal– Wallis tests were used to analyze data.
Results: Dental caries experience was significantly more in government schools (50.3%) as compared to private schools (38%). Only few children reported dental trauma in government (10.3%) and private (7%) schools. Calculus was reported more in government school children (58.3%) as compared to private school children (44.5%). Malocclusion was found more in private schools (23.1%) as compared to government schools (20.2%). Majority of children did not report enamel defects and dental fluorosis. In government schools, children who experienced dental caries, dental trauma and periodontal disease reported negative impact on quality of life. Dental trauma, enamel defects and malocclusion affected OHRQoL in private school children.
Conclusion: It is important to reconsider the current biomedical and restricted paradigm on oral diseases and emphasize greater clinical focus on improving quality of life as a major objective of dental care in children.
Key words: children, impact, oral health, quality of life.