Impact of the severity and extension of dental caries lesions on Turkish preschool children’s oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Dental caries is a prevalent oral disease affecting young children, leading to significant negative impacts on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aims to evaluate the relationship between extension of dental caries lesions and OHRQoL in children aged 3–6 years using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). This cross-sectional study involved 300 children aged 3–6 years and their parents or caregivers. Clinical examinations were conducted using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) Index, the pufa Index, and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) II. The ECOHIS was administered through interviews with parents or caregivers to assess the impact of dental caries on OHRQoL. Statistical analyses, including Kruskal-Wallis and binomial logistic regression, were performed to evaluate the relationship between pufa scores and ECOHIS results. The findings revealed a significant negative impact of dental caries on OHRQoL (p 0 compared to those with a pufa Index score of 0 (p < 0.05). Significant impacts were observed in specific ECOHIS items, such as oral/dental pain (mean score 1.61 ± 1.13), difficulty eating (mean score 1.26 ± 1.26), and trouble sleeping (mean score 0.528 ± 0.942). Parental distress was also notably high, with significant scores in feeling upset (mean score 1.07 ± 1.31) and feeling guilty (mean score 0.929 ± 1.26). Binomial logistic regression analysis showed that a higher pufa score was a…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 300 participants or records.
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