Oral-health-related quality of life in schoolchildren in an endemic fluorosis area of Mexico

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To evaluate the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children living in an endemic hydrofluorosis area. Schoolchildren aged 8–10 years living in an area with 3.38 ppm F water concentration completed a validated Spanish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8–10ESP). World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were applied for the diagnosis of dental caries and malocclusion. Additionally, the Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index (TFI) was used for fluorosis diagnosis. CPQ8–10ESP scores and oral health status were analyzed using non-parametric tests and logistic regression models. Two hundred and twelve schoolchildren participated in this study. The mean CPQ8–10ESP score was 12.98 (SD 11.4). General oral health was rated as “poor” in 14.6%, “fair” in 41.5%, “good” in 25.9%, and “very good” in 17.9% of the children. Regarding overall well-being, half (51.6%) of the children perceived that the condition of their mouths disturbs their quality of life (QoL). Children with dental fluorosis (TF >4) had a high CPQ8–10ESP score in all domains (P < 0.005). Additionally, children with DMFS + dmfs >5 had higher scores in the oral symptoms, functional limitation, and emotional well-being CPQ8–10ESP domains (P < 0.05). Applying a CPQ8–10ESP cutoff point of 32, the OR values for severe malocclusion, caries, and fluorosis were 5.2 (P = 0.034), 4.6 (P = 0.006), and 5.1 (P = 0.007), respectively. Malocclusion, caries, and fluorosis were associated with a negative impact on children’s QoL.

This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit: