Individuals with special needs and their families’ oral health-related quality of life

Abstract

Abstract To evaluate the impact of dental caries among Brazilian individuals with special health care needs (SHCN) on their families’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). A cross-sectional study was carried out with a population-based sample of 227 subjects who were enrolled from the ACOLHER-PNE project conducted at the Fluminense Federal University. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the 14-item Family Impact Scale (B-FIS) to assess the impact on family's quality of life (QoL). The main independent variable was dental caries experience, diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The DMFT/dmft score was categorized into 0 = caries free; 1–2 = low; 3-4 = moderate; and ≥ 5 = high experience. Mother's schooling, age, sex, SHCN conditions, and socioeconomic factors were the other independent variables. QoL was measured through FIS domains and total score. Statistical analyses was performed using the Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests and Poisson regression (p 8 years old) experience a higher impact level compared to younger subjects (PR: 2.43; 95%CI: 1.80–3.29, p = 0.001). High caries experience and other socioeconomic factors were not associated with a greater negative impact on parents’ QoL.

Keywords

• Dental Caries
• Prevalence
• Quality of Life