Predictors of OHRQoL in Children

Methods: Measures of OHRQoL, sense of coherence (SOC) and dental coping beliefs (DCB) were collected from 510 students aged 10-14 years at baseline and 3, 6, and 9 month follow-up. Socio-economic status (maternal educational attainment, paternal educational attainment and parental income) was collected at baseline. Students were examined clinically at baseline and 9-month follow-up. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) within the Wilson and Cleary (1995) model linking clinical variables to quality of life.

Results: DMFT in the sample was 1.97 (SD = 1.81). Most students had healthy gingivae (54.3 %) but 68.9 % scored IOTN 1-4. Only 2.7 % had enamel defects. In SEM, the model fitted the data well [CMIN/DF = 2.574, SRMR = 0.0561, CFI = 0.974 and RMSEA = 0.059 (90 % CIs = 0.039-0.079)]. Increased untreated caries at baseline predicted worse OHRQoL at 6-month follow-up only. Higher SOC, DCB and socio-economic status at baseline predicted better OHRQoL over the 3 time points. Worse gingival health at baseline predicted worse OHRQoL at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Malocclusion and enamel defects were unrelated to OHRQoL at any time point.

Conclusion: Clinical factors were rarely related to OHRQoL. This may be due to the weak relationship between clinical factors and OHRQoL or could be attributed to the low level of disease. Interventions that enhance sense of coherence may present an opportunity to enhance OHRQoL.