Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients before and after alveolar bone grafting (ABG).
Methods: This study consisted of 18 patients undergoing ABG (9-32 years of age, mean age =11.78±3.78 years). The patients with UCLP were individually interviewed during two time periods: 1 day prior to and 3 months following the ABG procedure. The OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP) questionnaire.
Results: After ABG, there were significant decreases in the overall Child-OIDP scores (p =.004).
The performance that shown the highest score in pre- and post-operative ABG was “speaking”. “Eating” was the performance that significantly decreased in overall Child-OIDP scores postoperatively (p =.016).
Conclusions: The ABG procedure can improve the patient's OHRQoL, especially in “eating” performance postoperatively.