Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children aged 10-14 years.
Methods: In this cross- sectional study, 100 children (53% female, mean age: 11.4±1.1years) were sampled from the Paediatric Dental Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Marmara University. Data were collected through a questionnaire regarding OHRQoL and dental indices. OHRQoL was evaluated through the Turkish version of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) questionnaire. Trained research assistants (n=2) who were not involved in any dental assessment or treatment helped to complete the questionnaires. Scores for COHIP and its subscales regarding “oral health”, “functional well-being”, “social-emotional well-being”, “school environment” and “self- image” were calculated. Better OHRQoL was indicated with higher COHIP scores. Criterion validity was evaluated by self-reported oral health status and self-reported dental treatment need. The associations between COHIP and toothache experience and reason for dental attendance were examined for construct validity.
Results: The mean COHIP score was 96.13 (SD: 15.14), ranging from 57 to 127. Internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) of COHIP was found to be 0.847. Although oral health status was similar in both genders, the score for the “social- emotional well-being” subscale was lower in females than males (p=0.010). Poor COHIP “functional wellbeing” scores were associated with toothache and sensitivity experience, halitosis, poor self-reported oral health status, dental treatment need, difficulty in chewing and delayed tooth eruption of permanent teeth compared to those without these conditions (p<0.05). Scores for “oral health”, “functional well- being” and “school environment” scales were lower in those attending for emergency dental care compared to control visits (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In this population, the Turkish version of COHIP was observed to be a valid and reliable tool that can be used in further OHRQoL studies.
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