Inequalities in caries experience and oral health-related quality of life among Libyan school children

Objectives: This study aims to assess inequalities in caries experience and oral health-related quality of life among Libyan school children.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey of Libyan school children aged 8-10 years. Dental caries were assessed using DMF indices according to who criteria. Quality of life was assessed using a validated Arabic version of COHIP-SF19. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Results: caries were higher among children from public schools, Low-moderate income families and whose fathers are not university educated (p ≤0.05), whereas a higher number of filled teeth was reported among children from higher social class (p≤0.05).
Higher scores of COHIP-SF19 were reported among children in private schools whose parents were university educated and younger children.
Regression models show that children whose fathers are university-educated were more likely to have higher scores of COHIP-SF19 and lower caries prevalence.
Conclusions: Data analysis demonstrates that dental caries and oral health-related qualities of life were associated with fathers’ education. Higher educational levels were associated with a higher quality of life, lower dental caries, and more filled teeth