Oral Impacs Affecting Daily Performance in Thai Secondary School Students 

Background: Clinical measures reflect only one aspect of oral health status. Several socio-dental indicators have been used to assess the oral impacts on several aspects related to quality of life. However, there has been limited information regarding the oral impacts on quality of life in adolescents of Thailand. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of oral related impacts on the quality of daily life in Thai secondary school students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kaennakorn Wittayalai School, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Two hundreds and sixty eight students aged 15 years were selected to participate in this study. The impacts of oral health were assessed by using The Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP). It consists of 8 items that assess the impact of oral conditions on basic activities and behaviors that cover the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of daily living. Students were clinically examined and a self-administered questionnaire was used to identify health behaviors, oral care and dental attendance. Results: Forty percent of students had at least one OIDP oral impact. Thirty percent of those with impacts had 1-3 daily performances affected(out of 8 performances) The most common performance affected was eating (15%), tooth cleaning (12%) and emotional stability (11%). Major role activity, contact with people and speaking performances had high frequency of impacts. Sleeping, smiling and major role activities were rated as high severity. Pain, discomfort and dissatisfaction with appearance were mainly symptoms that caused almost every impact. Tooth decay, toothache and tooth position were the major causal oral condition of all aspects of performance. Conclusion: Oral impacts that affected quality of life of Thai secondary students were relatively common but not severe. Most students in this study were concerned about esthetic.

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