Cross-sectional study reveals higher caries levels impact oral health-related quality of life in Somali school children, suggesting urgent preventive measures.
Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) associated with dental caries status among Somali schoolchildren.
Conducted a cross-sectional study in December 2022 with 405 randomly selected schoolchildren from 16 schools.
Data collected included clinical examinations and OHRQoL assessments using WHO Child Oral Health Questionnaire items.
Associations were analyzed with Poisson regression, adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral factors.
71% reported at least one impact on OHRQoL, with toothache and eating difficulties being the most common.
Higher caries levels (DMFT ≥2) were linked to a 15% increased prevalence of OHRQoL impacts (PR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01-1.29).
Factors like urban residence, dental visits in the past 12 months, and poor self-rated oral health also correlated with higher impacts.