Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Children with Oligodontia

Background: Oligodontia (congenial absence of six or more teeth) affects functional, emotional and social aspects of an individual’s life. Few published studies have evaluated oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children with oligodontia. Methods: Thirty-five 8-to-18-year-old patients with oligodontia recruited from The Hospital for Sick Children and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and their parents, completed the short format of Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) and Parent Child Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ), respectively. Results: Children reported significantly higher overall CPQ score than their parents. Correlations between children’s and parents’ overall CPQ score, oral symptoms and functional limitations, and social well-being were not statistically significant. However, as children’s emotional well-being score increased, parents’ score also increased. There was no association between child CPQ score and age, gender, number and location of permanent tooth agenesis in this sample. Conclusion: Children with oligodontia had poorer OHRQoL compared to what was perceived by their parents.M.Sc