A Comparison of the Oral Health Index and the OHIP-14

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare total scores of the Oral Health Index (OHX), an instrument for measuring oral health, with total scores of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), which was developed to assess the impact of oral health on a subject’s quality of life. Responses to similarly worded individual questions common to both instruments were also to be compared. Method: A group of thirty patients attending Birmingham Dental Hospital and School were asked to complete an OHIP-14 questionnaire. They were then examined by a research associate and given an OHX score. Total OHX and OHIP-14 scores were compared. Patient responses to individual questions related to pain, appearance and function were also compared. Results: The average OHIP-14 score at 81% was higher than the average OHX score of 64%. There was a positive but not particularly strong linear relationship between the two total scores. With regard to the quality of life questions common to both instruments, there was evidence of a stronger relationship between the paired questions related to function and appearance than those related to pain. Conclusion: For this group of patients there is no clear relationship between oral health (as measured by OHX) and quality of life (as measured by OHIP-14). The support of the Department of Health is acknowledged.