Assessment of Oral Health-related Quality of Life among Residents of Nalbari Town in Assam: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) reflects the broader impact of oral diseases on individuals’ physical, psychological, and social well-being. The aim of this study was to assess OHRQoL among adults residing in Nalbari town, Assam. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 502 residents of Nalbari town selected using the systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) scale to assess OHRQoL across seven domains. Dental caries was recorded using the World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Form (2013). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. Statistical tests included analysis of variance, Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and logistic regression. Significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 94.2%, with mean decayed, missing filled teeth (DMFT) of 8.10 ± 3.98. Psychological discomfort (3.11 ± 1.64) and physical pain were the most affected domains. DMFT showed a significant positive correlation with overall OHIP score ( r = 0.436, P < 0.001). Participants aged 18–30 years had higher odds of poor OHRQoL (odds ratios [OR] = 11.07), while higher education was protective (OR = 0.246). Conclusion: The study revealed that dental caries and periodontal disease had a significant impact on OHRQoL among the residents of Nalbari town.