Dental Caries Experience and Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Working Adults

Abstract

Objective To evaluate effect of dental caries experience and untreated dental decay on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in working adults. Methods The clinical records of 160 patients were reviewed. Dental health indicators were derived from individual tooth- and surface-level data allowing for calculating the number of decayed surfaces (D), number of decayed missed filled surfaces (DMFS), and significant caries (SiC) indices. A questionnaire was administered to verify demographic factors and OHRQoL. The questionnaire was administered via face-to-face interview, for patients in the hospital; or via telephone interview, for those who could not complete it during their hospital visit. Models were developed using multivariable linear regression to predict total OHIP-14 scores and examine the simultaneous association of independent and outcome variables. The model was adjusted for age, gender, and nationality.. Results Physical limitation and psychological discomfort were the most frequent impacted domains, affecting 17.1% and 7.5% of subjects, respectively. Painful aching was the most frequent item to have any impact, affecting 64.4% of the subjects. The results of multivariable analysis indicated that the SiC score could statistically significantly predict the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) score, P=0.0003. In the linear regression model, for participants with DMFS equal to or higher than the SiC, on average, OHIP scores were almost 10 points higher than for participants with DMFS below the SiC. Conclusion The more the dental decay the higher the impact on OHRQoL. From a dental public health perspective, using OHRQoL as a need assessment tool, along with dental clinical indicator, can be helpful in planning and targeting public health programs for the most in-need adult populations. Clinical Significance This study identified that patients with severe dental caries report poorer OHRQoL. Clinicians should be aware of impacts that dental decay may have on OHRQoL, including physical, psychological concerns, and pain.

Oral Health and Quality of Life in adults living in Northeastern Brazil

“…In the present study, the interviewees who had three or more visible cavities (48; 18.18%) also presented data that suggested a lower quality of life compared to those with less than three cavities, with a statistically significant difference of p<0.001. This finding is supported by studies carried out in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia [28], where adults with higher caries experience presented lower quality of life.…”

Impact of Oral Diseases and Conditions on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Narrative Review of Studies Conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Significant caries (SiC) and decayed missed filled surfaces (DMFS) indices were used as dental health indicators. The results indicated that the SiC score could statistically significantly predict the OHIP score [ 17 ].…”

“…There are several studies that reported that the dental caries have negative impacts on OHRQoL in populations of different ages [16][17][18]. The effect of dental caries experience and untreated dental decay and on OHRQoL was examined in working adults.…”

Association between occupational exposure to domestic solid waste and dental caries: a cross-sectional study

“…Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and the most common oral condition worldwide and is considered the main indicator of oral health (Dye et al 2012;Bukhari 2020). This is a disease where multiple factors act together in highly complex processes and cause the bacterial community to change in balance to a dysbiotic community.…”