Background: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) provides a subjective dimension to oral health assessment that complements clinical indices. Residential schoolchildren represent a unique population in whom the impact of oral diseases on daily functioning has not been well studied. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 520 children aged 12–14 years from 10 residential schools in Bangalore, selected through stratified random sampling. Oral examinations were carried out using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2013). The Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP) index was administered through structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests (t-test, ANOVA, chi-square) were applied, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among participants, 50% were 12 years, 18.1% were 13 years, and 30% were 14 years of age. Commonly reported oral problems included sensitive teeth (43.7%), gum bleeding (41%), and dental caries (35.8%). The mean DMFT score was 1.01, mean CPI score was 1.84, and mean DAI score was 13.8. The overall mean Child-OIDP score was 7.62, with no gender difference. Caries, gingival bleeding, toothache, and malocclusion significantly impacted daily performances such as eating, cleaning teeth, sleeping, smiling, and social interactions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Oral health significantly influences the quality of life of residential schoolchildren. Routine assessment of OHRQoL should be incorporated into oral health needs assessments and school dental programs.
Bhat et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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