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AmJCaseRep

Evaluation of oral health-related quality of life at public schools in São Vicente, Brazil

Marcela Alessandra Bozzella, Lara Jansiski Motta, Thays Almeida Alfaya, Cresus Vinicius Depes Gouvêa, Sandra Kalil Bussadori

Med Sci Tech 2013; 54:179-183

DOI: 10.12659/MST.889897

Available online: 2013-12-23

Published: 2013-12-23


Background: Adolescence is a transition period between childhood and adulthood marked by a series of physical and emotional changes that have a direct effect on the behavior and lives of adolescents and their families.
Material and Methods: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life of adolescents, based on their perceptions regarding functional, social, physical, and psychological aspects. An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out with adolescents aged 10 to 14 years enrolled at state and municipal public schools in the region of São Vicente, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) questionnaire was administered to all participants. Statistical analysis was carried out using the chi-square test, with the level of significance set to 5% (p<0.05).
Results: The sample was made up of 1188 adolescents (51.4% female; mean age 11.78±0.59 years). A total of 89.6% exhibited mild impact from oral health conditions. The greatest impact on quality of life was recorded on the “psychological discomfort” and “psychological disability” subscales of the OHIP. No statistically significant associations were found between the impact of oral health on quality of life and gender (p=0.082) or age (p=0.999).
Conclusions: The negative impact of oral health mostly affected psychological aspects among the adolescents in the present study. The findings underscore the importance of identifying the factors involved, as oral conditions can have a direct effect on quality of life.

Keywords: Oral Health, Quality of Life, Adolescent



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