The impact of nonsyndromic oral clefts on family quality of life

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of nonsyndromic oral cleft (NSOC) on families' quality of life (QoL) using the Brazilian version of the Family Impact Scale (B-FIS). A hospital-based case-control study was conducted with NSOC cases and unaffected controls recruited at Dental Clinic in Federal University. The mean B-FIS scores were 10.32 (SD 6.53) and 5.04 (SD 4.73), while the median scores were 9.00 and 3.50 (p < .05 Wilcoxon test), respectively, in case and control group. The "parental/family activity" subscale had the highest impact average score in case (5.62 SD 3.76) and control group (3.00 SD 3.08) (p < .05 Mann-Whitney test). The types of cleft with the most impact were cleft lip (12.00 SD 8.98) and cleft lip with cleft palate (11.06 SD 6.74). NSOC affects the QoL of families with children who have this condition; however, there were no remarkable differences between the groups.

Impact of Cleft Lip and Palate on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL) in Brazilian Patients

“…Nonsyndromic oral clefts (NSOC) are the most frequent craniofacial malformation, affecting approximately 1 in 650 live births in Brazil [1]. NSOCs are generally divided into two groups: isolated cleft palate and cleft lip with or without cleft palate [2].…”

Impact of oral conditions of children/adolescents with Down syndrome on their families’ quality of life

“…1 The determination of the impact of oral conditions on the OHRQoL of these individuals is important not only for the development of oral health measures that address the population with the syndrome, but also to emphasize the psychological and social impact that the oral condition of these individuals has on their families. 20 The present study demonstrates that, according to the perception of parents/caregivers, the impact of oral conditions of children/adolescents with DS on the OHRQoL of their families was not different from the impact of oral conditions of children/adolescents without DS on their families' OHRQoL. Although DS individuals' families may encounter more challenges in daily life, their OHRQoL was not different from families of individuals without DS.…”

“…28 To ensure that dental programs for children/adolescents with DS are effective, it is also necessary to maintain surveillance of their family. 6,20 The findings of the present study highlight the importance of the prevention and treatment of oral conditions, such as malocclusion and dental caries, which may cause pain, discomfort, and well-being impairment for the child/adolescent with DS and consequently affect the emotions and activities of family members. Awareness of the negative perception of parents/caregivers regarding their families' OHRQoL in relation to the occlusal discrepancies, dental caries, and clinical consequences of untreated dental caries of children/adolescents with DS, the dentist should include, in his/her list of recommendations, clear information on the prevention and treatment of these oral conditions in individuals with DS.…”

“…Family motivation plays an important role in the viability of dental care programs for individuals with special needs, since parents/caregivers are the main decision makers regarding the oral health of these individuals . To ensure that dental programs for children/adolescents with DS are effective, it is also necessary to maintain surveillance of their family . The findings of the present study highlight the importance of the prevention and treatment of oral conditions, such as malocclusion and dental caries, which may cause pain, discomfort, and well‐being impairment for the child/adolescent with DS and consequently affect the emotions and activities of family members.…”

“…Down syndrome (DS) has epidemiological relevance in the public health context, since it is considered the most prevalent genetic abnormality of the human species . The determination of the impact of oral conditions on the OHRQoL of these individuals is important not only for the development of oral health measures that address the population with the syndrome, but also to emphasize the psychological and social impact that the oral condition of these individuals has on their families …”