An evaluation of the oral health quality of life (OHQoL) instrument in a Brazilian population

Objectives: To translate and evaluate the performance of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the United Kingdom Oral Health related Quality of Life instrument, OHQoLUK©, in assessing the impact of oral health on quality of life among a Brazilian adult population. Design: Following forward-backwards translation the 16-item OHQoLUK© measure was administered to adults utilising municipal dental health services in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. The instrument's psychometric properties, validity and reliability, were assessed. Results: The response rate was 72% (323/450). OHQoLUK© scores were associated with self-reported oral health status including number of teeth present (p<0.001), denture status (p<0.01) and self-reported dental attendance pattern; time (p<0.05) and reason for last dental visit (p<0.001), supporting the construct validity of the measure. In addition, OHQoLUK© scores were associated with self-ratings of oral health (p<0.0001) and perceived need for dental treatment (p