Association between anterior open bite and impact on quality of life of preschool children

Dental discrepancies in black adolescents: evaluating impacts on well-being

The aim of this study was to compare the esthetic, functional, and psychosocial impact of mandibular crowding and maxillary midline diastema in black adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 420 black (brown and black, distinguished according to Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE) adolescents aged 12 with normal occlusal relationships. Esthetic (OASIS) and functional/psychosocial (OHIP-14) impact related to the need for orthodontic treatment in groups with mandibular crowding and maxillary midline diastema, and those without these conditions: G1, without crowding and diastema (n 113); G2, without crowding and with diastema (n 67); G3, with crowding and without diastema (n 202); and G4, diastema, and crowding (n 38) were evaluated. Generalized linear models were estimated for the effects of diastema, crowding, and the interaction between them, with a significance level of 5%. There was no significant influence of crowding and diastema on the OHIP-14 (p>0.05). However, the groups with diastema had higher OASIS scores, irrespective of crowding (p<0.05). The maxillary midline diastema influenced the esthetic perception of black adolescents.

Influence of Oral Habits on Pediatric Malocclusion: Etiology and Preventive Approaches

Teeth malocclusion refers to the misalignment of teeth and improper occlusion of the upper and lower jaws when the mouth is closed, which can lead to both aesthetic and functional issues such as difficulties with chewing, biting, and speech. These challenges may further contribute to broader health concerns. One of the major contributing factors to malocclusion in children is the presence of certain oral habits. Research has established a strong association between habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing and various malocclusion patterns, including anterior open bite, proclination, crowding, and posterior crossbite. This review seeks to examine these three primary deleterious oral habits, their impact on malocclusion, and effective prevention strategies to address these habits in pediatric patients.

Oral health-related quality of life, adaptation/discomfort during open bite treatment with spurs: complementary analysis from a randomized clinical trial

This single-center trial aimed to longitudinally compare the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL), adaptation and discomfort during anterior open bite (AOB) treatment with lingual spurs and build-ups (SBU) versus spurs only (S) approaches. Children (7-11 years) with AOB were randomly allocated into two treatment groups (SBU or S). The Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) was applied 1 and 12 months after installation of the appliances. Questionnaires evaluating functional adaptation and discomfort during the first month of treatment were also applied. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used in these questionnaires. Generalized mixed models were used for analyzing OHRQOL and discomfort data. Generalized linear models were used to assess adaptation outcomes (α = 0.05). The SBU group included 24 patients (7 males and 17 females; mean age 8.2 years) and the S group included 25 patients (11 males and 14 females; mean age 8.3 years). Regardless of the treatment type, overall OHRQOL scores at 12 months were 0.69 times those recorded at 1 month after the appliances installation (i.e., ~ 31% reduction; exp (β) = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.88). A significant interaction between treatment and time was detected for the 'functional limitations' domain. For this domain, a significant improvement from the first to the twelfth month was observed in the S group (P < 0.001). Patients in both treatment groups showed similar and easy adaptation to the appliances. Independent of the type of treatment, tongue-related discomfort decreased over time. One week and one month after the appliance's delivery, the discomfort scores were 0.19 (i.e., ~ 81% reduction; exp (β) = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.28; P < 0.001) and 0.02 (i.e., ~ 98% reduction; exp (β) = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07; P < 0.001) times, respectively, those issued immediately after the installation of the appliances. Regardless of treatment type; overall OHRQOL improved from the first to the twelfth month of AOB treatment. The functional limitations score decreased in the S group. Children showed easy adaptation, and their discomfort decreased 1 week after the installation of the appliances.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT03702881, date of registration: October 11, 2018.

Functional orthopedic treatment for anterior open bite in children. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of orthopedic functional appliances for anterior open bite (AOB) in primary or mixed dentition children.

METHODS

A search for randomized controlled trials (RCT) was conducted in November 2020 in electronic databases with no data or language restrictions. Primary outcomes were skeletal cephalometric variables and adverse events. We used the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to assess methodological quality and the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence.

RESULTS

We identified five RCTs (220 participants). Very low certainty evidence showed an improvement in overbite (mean difference [MD] 3.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.63-4.57) and in the angulation of the upper incisors to the palatal plane (MD 3.70; 95% CI 0.85-6.55) with Frankel's functional regulator, compared to no treatment. There was no difference in the measured cephalometric variables when comparing removable palatal crib to fixed palatal crib, bonded spurs, and chin cup. When comparing removable versus magnetic bite blocks, a beneficial effect was observed in overbite, overjet, skeletal anteroposterior angular measurements, and skeletal vertical linear measures in the magnetic group. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

There was insufficient evidence to infer the effects of these treatments for AOB, and high-quality RCTs are needed to increase the estimated effects.

PROSPERO REGISTER

CRD42020175634, prospectively registered (05 July 2020).

Can lingual spurs alter the oral health-related quality of life during anterior open bite interceptive treatment? A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The use of lingual spurs has been described as one efficient option, with great stability of results, but with scarce information of toleration for use in the mixed and permanent dentition phases.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of lingual spurs on the oral health-related quality of life of children and/or adolescents during anterior open bite treatment.

METHODS

The review was recorded in the PROSPERO database. Eight electronic databases and partial gray literature were searched, without restrictions until march 2022. A manual search was also performed in the references of the included articles. Studies assessing the impact of lingual spurs on the oral health-related quality of life were included. Risk of bias was assessed using JBI or ROBINS-I tool, according to the study design. The level of evidence was assessed through GRADE.

RESULTS

Five studies met the eligibility criteria. Two non-randomized clinical trials had a serious risk of bias. Of the case-series studies, two had a low risk of bias and the other, a moderate risk of bias. The certainty of the evidence was classified as very low for all the evaluated results. In general, the studies reported an initial negative impact with the use of lingual spurs, however this was transitory in nature. A quantitative analysis was not performed due to the great heterogeneity between the studies.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence, although limited, suggests that lingual spurs have an initial transient negative impact during interceptive treatment. Additional well-conducted randomized clinical trials are needed.

Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and Anterior Open Bite in Adult Patients: A Case-Control Study

Oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is defined as the impact of oral health on activities of daily living. Malocclusions are a public health problem with a high prevalence. Different studies have concluded that malocclusions negatively affect OHRQoL in patients of all ages. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of having an anterior open bite on the OHRQoL of adult patients. Materials and Methods: A case-control study (1:1) was carried out with a sample size of 80 adults at the University of Salamanca in 2021. The case group (n = 40) was made up of patients with an anterior open bite, and the control group (n = 40) contained patients without an anterior open bite. OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The influences of gender and age on the OHRQoL of the patients were also analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in gender or age between the case and control groups. An anterior open bite was not found to influence the OHRQoL of adult patients. Age was not shown to significantly influence OHRQoL. Female patients with an anterior open bite had higher scores in the handicap domain of the OHIP-14 questionnaire compared with male patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Anterior open bite can influence the OHRQoL of orthodontic patients. Gender can be considered an influencing factor.

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) of preschool children's anterior teeth restored with zirconia crowns versus resin-bonded composite strip crowns: a 12-month prospective clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

To compare oral health-related quality of Life (OHRQOL) of preschool children's anterior teeth restored with prefabricated zirconia crowns (ZC) versus resin-bonded composite strip crown (RCSC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective clinical trial included 136 children with early childhood caries aged 36-71 months who were assigned into prefabricated ZC and RCSC groups. A total of 344 teeth were restored either with 170 ZCs (49.4%) and 174 RCSCs (50.6%). Wilson and Cleary's conceptual model was to associate the study predictors to the OHRQOL. Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was used to assess the OHRQOL at 6 and 12 months. Mann-Whitney U test was used in comparing OHRQOL mean scores in the two groups and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with the effect size (r) to measure the intragroup OHRQOL change. A Poisson regression model was used to study potential risk factors associated with the overall OHRQOL.

RESULTS

After 12 months, the USPHS parameters of the ZC were significantly superior compared to the RCSC. Overall ECOHIS mean scores in the ZC group were significantly lower than that of the RCSC group at T₁ and T₂ (p < 0.001). Remarkable enhancement of the OHRQOL at the follow-ups with a large effect size (r < 0.8) was observed. Restoration type, retention, baseline OHRQOL, and color had a significant impact on the overall OHRQOL at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Preschool children OHRQOL treated with ZC were significantly better than those who received RCSC.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

One of the optimum treatment standards in pediatric dentistry is the esthetic demand which has significance on the child's OHRQOL and subsequently child's general health quality of life. It is beneficial to the dentist to identify the influence of esthetic restorations on the OHRQOL of preschool children which aids in future decision-making. The longitudinal nature of the study enables the dentist to identify the changes of children's OHRQOL.

Impact of primary dentition malocclusion on the oral health-related quality of life in preschoolers

BACKGROUND

Malocclusion is a condition frequently seen in primary dentition due to the interaction of environmental, genetic and behavioural factors. The occurrence of some types of malocclusions can have an impact on oral health-related quality of life in children. Hence, the present study aimed to verify the impact of primary dentition malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in preschool children.

METHODS

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Florianopolis, Brazil, with a representative sample of 1050 preschoolers aged between 2 and 5 years, randomly selected. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and also to a questionnaire on socio-economic indicators. Data obtained from the questionnaire were obtained by item response theory based on model of gradual response. The malocclusion assessed was: anterior open bite, increased overjet and posterior crossbite. Poisson regression model was employed for multivariate analysis (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Malocclusion was observed in 36.7% of the children. Of these, 11.4% were anterior open bite, 67.2% were increased overjet, and 21.4% were posterior crossbite. Malocclusion's impact on oral health-related quality of life was 28.6%. In children aged 4-5 years, the prevalence of malocclusion's impact on quality of life was 49.5% higher than in children aged 2-3 years. Statistical analysis showed that preschool children with malocclusion showed no significant impact on quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate that the occurrence of primary dentition malocclusion has no impact on the quality of life of children aged 2-5 years.

Prevalence of anterior open bite in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Anterior open bite is defined by the lack of incisal contact between the teeth in centric relation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anterior open in children and adolescents.

METHODS

This systematic review included a search in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Google Scholar, and ProQuest. The acronym PECOS was considered: (P) children and adolescents, (E) presence of anterior open bite, (C) not applicable, (O) prevalence, and (S) observational studies. The risk of bias assessment was carried out using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. The prevalence meta-analyses were performed using MedCalc^® software. The certainty of the evidence was determined with the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

26 studies were included. Eleven studies were judged at low, seven at moderate, and eight at high risk of bias. The overall prevalence of anterior open bite was 16.52% (95% CI 12.34-21.17) in children and adolescents. The prevalence was 19.38% (95% CI 13.77-25.69) in South America. The prevalence of anterior open bite was 22.67% (95% CI 16.56-29.43) among females and 16.99% (95% CI 11.77-22.94) among males. The prevalence of anterior open bite was 18.84% (95% CI 13.88-24.38) in the primary dentition, and 14.26% (95% CI 7.67-22.46) in the mixed dentition. The overall certainty of the evidence was very low.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of anterior open bite was 16.52% in children and adolescents aged 2-16 years. Giving the limitations of a prevalence meta-analysis, the extrapolation of the results should be cautious.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020183162, 10 July 2020.

Retention: taking a more active role

Retention may be particularly challenging after the correction of specific malocclusion features, such as tooth rotations, open bite and expansion, which are all inherently unstable. In this article, some indications for active retention are reviewed by highlighting a variety of clinical techniques and appliances. Active retention is discussed in relation to preservation of tooth alignment and in the three planes of space: sagittal, vertical and transverse. In some situations, an active retention regimen may be helpful to minimise or counteract relapse after orthodontic treatment and to improve patient satisfaction during the typically lengthy post-treatment period.

Malocclusion Impact Scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC): development and validation

This study aimed to develop and validate the Malocclusion Impact Scale for Early Childhood (MIS-EC), a malocclusion-specific measure of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children aged 3-5 years and their parents/caregivers. A pool of items was analysed to identify those relevant to the assessment of the impact of malocclusion on OHRQoL. Dental professionals and mothers of children with and without malocclusion rated the importance of these items. The final version of the MIS-EC was evaluated in a cross-sectional study comprising 381 parents of children aged 3-5 years to assess construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Twenty-two items were identified from item pooling. After item reduction, eight items were chosen to constitute the MIS-EC, in addition to two general questions. The MIS-EC demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79 for the Child Impact section and 0.53 for the Family Impact section), and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.94), floor effect was 55.7% and ceiling effect 0%. MIS-EC scores indicating worse OHRQoL were significantly associated with the presence of malocclusion (p < 0.05). The MIS-EC is reliable and valid for assessing the impact of malocclusion on the OHRQoL of preschool children and their parents/caregivers.

Pathways to anterior open bite after changing of pacifier sucking habit in preschool children: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pacifier use is a major cause of anterior open bite (AOB), which negatively impacts the quality of life of children affected.

AIM

To assess the direct and indirect pathways related to pacifier sucking habit and AOB in preschool children.

DESIGN

This 2-year cohort study evaluated a random sample of preschool children (2-5 years of age) from Southern Brazil. Caregivers answered a questionnaire addressing socio-economic and behavioural characteristics. Anterior open bite was recorded following the criteria recommended by Foster and Hamilton. Structural equation model was performed to assess the direct and indirect pathways among variables at baseline (T1) to predict the AOB at follow-up (T2).

RESULTS

Regarding the AOB, 407 children were evaluated at T1 and 187 at T2. The prevalence of AOB was 32.9% at baseline and 16.0% at follow-up. The presence of AOB at follow-up was directly affected by the change in pacifier sucking habit from T1 to T2. Considering the indirect paths, the AOB at T1 influenced the AOB in T2 via a change of pacifier sucking habit.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the non-habit of sucking pacifiers is a fundamental strategy for the prevention of AOB as well as the promotion of health in childhood.

The influence of malocclusion, sucking habits and dental caries in the masticatory function of preschool children

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of malocclusion, nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits and dental caries in the masticatory function of preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 384 children aged 3-5 years. A single examiner calibrated for oral clinical examinations performed all the evaluations (kappa > 0.82). Presence of malocclusion was recorded using Foster and Hamilton criteria. The number of masticatory units and of posterior teeth cavitated by dental caries was also recorded. The parents answered a questionnaire in the form of an interview, addressing questions about the child's nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits. The masticatory function was evaluated using Optocal test material, and was based on the median particle size in the masticatory performance, on the swallowing threshold, and on the number of masticatory cycles during the swallowing threshold. Data analysis involved simple and multiple linear regression analyses, and the confidence level adopted was 95%. The sample consisted of 206 children in the malocclusion group and 178 in the non-malocclusion group. In the multiple regression analysis, the masticatory performance was associated with age (p = 0.025), bottle feeding (p = 0.004), presence of malocclusion (p = 0.048) and number of cavitated posterior teeth (p = 0.030). The swallowing threshold was associated with age (p = 0.025), bottle feeding (p = 0.001) and posterior malocclusion (p = 0.017). The number of masticatory cycles during the swallowing threshold was associated with the number of cavitated posterior teeth (p = 0.001). In conclusion, posterior malocclusion, bottle feeding and dental caries may interfere in the masticatory function of preschool children.

Self-Perceptions of the Impact of Oral Problems on the Social Behavior of Preschoolers

Introduction:

Investigating preschool children’s social behaviors and the association with oral health variables helps to understand child development. Besides that, different perceptions need to be explored regarding the impact of oral problems on the social behavior between the child’s self-report and parent’s/caregiver’s proxy report.

Objective:

To determine which socioeconomic and oral factors are associated with difficulty sleeping and playing and the avoidance of smiling in preschoolers.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative random sample of 769 pairs of parents/caregivers and 5-y-old preschoolers. The preschoolers answered a questionnaire on difficulty sleeping, difficulty playing, and the avoidance of smiling for reasons related to oral problems. The parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire addressing socioeconomic characteristics as well as the use of dental services. Two calibrated dentists examined the children for the determination of dental caries, traumatic dental injury (TDI), malocclusion, and bruxism. Descriptive and Poisson regression analysis for complex samples with robust variance was used to test the associations (α = 5%).

Results:

The variables associated with difficulty sleeping were low household income (confidence interval [CI]: 1.40–3.01), number of untreated dental caries (CI, 1.02–1.04), dental pain (CI, 1.76–3.59), TDI (CI, 1.08–2.11), and anterior open bite (CI, 1.11–2.20). Difficulty playing also was associated with the low household income (CI, 1.34–3.15), number of untreated dental caries (CI, 1.01–1.04), dental pain (CI,1.42–3.61), and TDI (CI, 1.13–2.33). The number of untreated dental caries (CI, 1.02–1.05), dental pain (CI, 1.03–2.88), anterior open bite (CI, 1.30–3.26), and not using dental services (CI, 1.13–2.73) were determinant factors for the avoidance of smiling.

Conclusion:

Socioeconomic, symptomatic, and/or oral esthetic problems exerted an impact on the social behavior of the preschoolers analyzed, such as playing, sleeping, and smiling.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The results of the present study may help parents and clinicians to understand better the association of oral problems with the social behavior of preschool children. Moreover, this study shows the importance of listening to children in clinical decisions. These results also can help in the elaboration of oral health policies.

Maternal perception of the impact of anterior caries and its treatment on children: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Qualitative studies could allow a more comprehensive understanding about the breadth of children's experiences and perspectives regarding the impact of dental caries treatment.

AIM

To assess parental perception about children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) following the rehabilitation of carious primary anterior teeth.

METHODS

A purposive sample of parents of preschool children attending a University Dental Clinic due to caries in primary anterior teeth was recruited. Qualitative individual interviews about parental perception regarding children's oral health were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. An interview guide was used, based on the instrument ECOHIS. The responses were analysed using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

Mothers of 10 children aged 4-8 years old participated. Four themes emerged during data analysis: (a) Perception about the presence and occurrence of caries; (b) Impact on the child's OHRQoL; (c) Impact on family's OHRQoL; and (d) Changes in OHRQoL following oral rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Mothers of children with dental caries in anterior teeth reported impact on children's and family's life. Also, mothers' reports demonstrated that oral rehabilitation caused positive changes in their children's well-being and everyday life.

Impact of specific orthodontic parameters on the oral health-related quality of life in children and adolescents : A prospective interdisciplinary, multicentre, cohort study

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact of specific orthodontic findings on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) when taking into consideration age and psychological factors in children and adolescents.

METHODS

In all, 250 children and adolescents with an indication for orthodontic diagnostics were recruited using a multicentre study design. Using validated and internationally acknowledged questionnaires, we assessed OHRQoL, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), self-esteem and behavioural problems. We also examined a selection of specific orthodontic findings using photos, model casts and cephalometric analyses, and investigated the impact of these parameters on OHRQoL using simple linear regression analyses. Thereafter, we added all the significant specific orthodontic and psychological parameters to a multiple linear regression model using a stepwise forwards selection procedure.

RESULTS

We were able to identify different specific orthodontic findings that have a significant impact on OHRQoL. These were the type of lip closure, the position of the chin, the Little-index of the upper jaw, the overjet, the overbite and the ANB angle. Moreover, we were able to demonstrate that psychological and some specific orthodontic parameters have a significant impact on OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Specific orthodontic findings have a significant impact on patients' perceived OHRQoL. Further longitudinal studies are required to investigate whether the treatment and correction of these malocclusions also improve the OHRQoL of children and adolescents.

Epidemiological pattern of malocclusion in Brazilian preschoolers

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution profile of malocclusion in Brazilian preschoolers and its association with macro-region, housing, gender, and self-reported race. In total, 6,855 children aged five years participating in the National Oral Health Survey (called SB Brasil 2010) were analyzed. Malocclusion was diagnosed according to the Foster and Hamilton index. We conducted descriptive, bivariate and multiple regression analyses (PR/CI95%). We identified that 63.2% of children had at least one of the occlusal problems evaluated: canines' key (22.9%), overjet (32.9%), overbite (34.6%), and posterior crossbite (18.7%) and, thus, were considered with malocclusion. Higher probability of the presence of malocclusion was identified among the residents of the Midwest (1.08/95%CI 1.01-1.15), Northeast (1.21/95%CI 1.14-1.28), Southeast (1.27/95%CI 1.20-1.34) and South (1.34/95%CI 1.26-1.42) regions when compared to residents in the North. It was also higher among female children (1.06/95% CI 1.02-1.09). No associations were identified concerning race and location of the municipality (capital/no capital). A high prevalence of malocclusion was identified in Brazilian preschoolers, and it was associated with gender and the macro-region. These findings may contribute to expanded public policies and greater access to treatment for this population.

Association between psychological factors, socio-demographic conditions, oral habits and anterior open bite in five-year-old children

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate association between psychological factors, socio-demographic conditions, oral habits and anterior open bite in five-year-old preschool children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 764 pairs of children and parents/caregivers in preschools. The parents/caregivers answered questionnaires addressing oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), sense of coherence, locus of control, oral habits and socio-demographic characteristics. The children answered a self-report questionnaire addressing OHRQoL and were submitted to a clinical examination for the anterior open bite by examiners. Descriptive analysis was conducted, followed by Poisson's regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anterior open bite was 15.2%. The following variables remained significantly associated with anterior open bite: pacifier use (PR = 7.09; 95% CI: 4.06-12.39), attending a public preschool (PR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.68-3.43), digit sucking (PR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.27-3.62), greater number of residents in the home (PR = 1.67; 95% CI: 1.18-2.36) and impact on OHRQoL according to child's report (PR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.11-2.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior open bite was associated with OHRQoL according to the children's reports. Moreover, attending a public preschool, a greater number of residents in the home, digit sucking and pacifier sucking were associated with this type of malocclusion.

Impact of demographic and clinical variables on the oral health-related quality of life among five-year-old children: a population-based study using self-reports

BACKGROUND

Although SOHO-5 has been validated, there is no study testing this instrument in population-based samples.

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of demographic and oral clinical variables on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in 5-year-old children from a socially deprived Brazilian area using selfreports.

DESIGN

Data from 588 children were analyzed. Examinations included untreated dental caries and occlusal deviations. Children answered the Brazilian SOHO-5 version and interviewers collected demographic characteristics of the child (sex and skin color). Robust Poisson regression associated outcome and exposures.

RESULTS

General, the oral impacts were reported by 71.1% of children. The mean and standard deviation total score of the Brazilian SOHO-5 were 3.51 and 3.82, respectively. Children with untreated dental caries (PR = 1.28; P = 0.004) and increased overjet (PR = 1.35; P = 0.002) experienced a worse OHRQoL. Dark and mixed skin color children did not have a good impact on their OHRQoL (PR = 1.53; P = 0.006 and PR = 1.44; P < 0.000, respectively) compared to light ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Untreated dental caries and increased overjet were independently associated with worst OHRQoL in 5-year-old children. As an indication of social deprivation, dark and mixed skin color children compared to light ones presented higher probability for reporting worst OHRQoL independently of the oral clinical conditions.

Effect of anterior crowding or spacing on oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) involves many aspects such as chewing ability, sleeping, social interactions, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life and oral health. The increasing research interest in OHRQoL began only after the shortcomings of previous approaches of treating symptoms only and neglecting the patient's self-perception were revealed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The current study design is a cross-sectional study of patients who attended King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) and King Saud University Dental Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). After obtaining their verbal consent, young adult and adult patients (mean age 25.19±7.29 years old) with anterior spacing or crowding were recruited to participate in the study. They filled the Arabic short version of the oral-health impact profile-14 questionnaire after a clinical evaluation of the severity of their spacing or crowding. Parameters of spacing/crowding severity assessment were as follows: <4, mild; 4-8, moderate; and >8, severe. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test in SPSS statistical package. The level of significance was set to <0.05.

RESULTS

The sample size of this study was 308 subjects. Findings indicated a statistically significant (p=0.001) association between anterior spacing malocclusion (ASM) with Q5 "self-consciousness", since 64.2% of patients with ASM reported being self-conscious. Results indicated a statistically significant association between educational level with anterior crowding malocclusion (ACM; p=0.02) and ASM (p=0.01) with Q3 "painful aching". Moreover, findings indicated a statistically significant association (p=0.04) between income and ACM with Q5 "self-consciousness". On the other hand, results showed no significant association between gender with either ACM or ASM.

CONCLUSION

This study sheds light on how anterior malocclusion (crowding or spacing) impacts OHRQoL negatively, especially heightening self-consciousness about their appearance. These effects should be addressed by the orthodontist during the course of treatment.

Responsiveness of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) is related to dental treatment complexity

BACKGROUND

The responsiveness of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) has varied greatly across studies; hence, we hypothesized that this discrepancy could be related to the complexity of dental treatment received. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the responsiveness of the ECOHIS to changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) following dental treatments of varying complexity in preschool children.

METHODS

Preschool children aged 3 to 6 years were selected; their parents responded to the ECOHIS at baseline. The parents responded to the ECOHIS again and a global transition question 30 days after the children were treated. The type of treatment received by the children was categorized according to complexity, as follows: 1) non-operative treatment only, 2) restorative treatment, and 3) endodontic treatment and/or tooth extraction. Change scores and effect sizes (ES) were calculated for total scores, as well as considering the different treatment types and global transition question responses.

RESULTS

Of the 152 children who completed the study, the ECOHIS yielded large ES for total scores (0.89). The children showed increasing ES values associated with better perception of improvement, assessed by the global transition question. The magnitude of ES after treatment was related to treatment complexity (0.53, 0.92 and 1.43, for children who received non-operative treatment only, restorative treatment, and endodontic treatment and/or tooth extraction, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents whose children required more complex dental treatment are more likely to perceive treatment-related changes to OHRQoL assessed with the ECOHIS.

Oral problems and quality of life of preschool children: self-reports of children and perception of parents/caregivers

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between oral health problems and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of preschool children according to both self-reports and the reports of parents/caregivers. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 769 preschool children and their parents/caregivers. The OHRQoL was evaluated using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five-Year-Old Children (SOHO-5). Based on logistic regression for complex samples, the following variables were found to be associated with poorer OHRQoL in the parent/caregiver version: toothache (OR = 6.77; 95% CI: 3.95-11.59); consequences of untreated dental caries (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.27-5.70); and anterior open bite (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.13-3.56). The following variables were associated with poorer OHRQoL in the child self-report version: toothache (OR = 3.34; 95% CI: 2.11-5.29); cavitated lesions (anterior teeth) (OR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.26-3.84); occurrence of traumatic dental injury (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.19-2.61); and anterior open bite (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.16-3.29). We conclude that children with dental caries (or its sequelae) had poorer OHRQoL. Having experienced a traumatic dental injury and having a malocclusion were also associated with a poorer OHRQoL.

Dental caries, but not malocclusion or developmental defects, negatively impacts preschoolers' quality of life

BACKGROUND

Oral diseases can negatively influence the quality of life causing harm in the development of routine activities, child development and their well-being.

AIM

To investigate the impact of dental caries, malocclusion and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) on the oral health-related quality of life of preschool children and their parents.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 646 children aged 2-6 years in Diamantina, Brazil. Calibrated dental examiners performed the oral examinations. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) and a questionnaire on socio-economic indicators. Statistical analyses involved the chi-square test and Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Malocclusion and DDE did not cause a negative impact on the children's quality of life. Children with dental caries (PR: 1.92; 95%CI: 1.56-2.35) and those aged 5 (PR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13-2.02) and 6 years (PR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.02-2.23) were more likely to have a negative quality of life impact on the total B-ECOHIS.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental caries was associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of children. Malocclusion and DDE did not cause a negative impact on the children's quality of life. Older children had higher frequency of negative impact on OHRQoL.