RGO: Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia (Dec 2009)
Self evaluated oral status impact on quality of life
Abstract
Objective: To associate people’s perception of the impact of oral health and disease status on the quality of life, with the following variables: Age bracket, socioeconomic conditions, educational level, dentition status, use of dental services, and oral hygiene habits.Methods: A subjective indicator (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate people’s perception of the impact of the self-evaluated oral health status on the quality of their own lives. A survey was made of demographic data, dentition status, use of dental services and oral hygiene habits. The sample was constituted by employees of state schools in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Statistical analysis was performed by parametric tests using the SPSS program. Results: The elderly perceived and recorded greater functional limitation and more pain than young persons. Edentulous perceived and recorded greater functional limitation and physical incapacity than dentate persons. Persons that required dental prostheses felt the impact of this situation on the quality of life. Better oral health is associated with better economic conditions, higher educational level, seeking paid dental services for prevention or routine care and regular use of dental hygiene instruments.Conclusion: The oral health and disease status perceived by people is associated with the researched variables. As people perceive the impact of oral health on the quality of life, more conditions to seek dental services for prevention or routine care and the regular use of dental hygiene instruments would improve the population’s oral health.
