Oral Health Related Quality

of Life Student Name: Alaa Mourad Term: Fall 2015/2016 Outline:

- Definition of Oral Health Related Quality of Life- Importance of Oral Health Related Quality of Life- Measurement of Oral Health Related Quality of Life- Oral conditions having impact on OHRQoL:

Periodontal Disease Edentulism Dental Caries Malocclusion Fluorosis Craniofacial Disorders

- Cultural Influence on Oral Health

Definition of oral health-related quality of life

“OHRQOL includes:- Survival (absence of oral cancer, presence of teeth)- Absence of impairment, disease or symptoms- Appropriate physical functioning associated w/ chewing & swallowing- Absence of discomfort & pain- Absence of emotional functioning associated w/ smiling- Absence of social functioning associated w/ normal roles- Absence of social or cultural disadvantage due to oral status.”

Importance of oral health related quality of lifeThe concept of OHRQOL is important to 3 areas in dentistry:

1) Clinical dentistry:- Dentists must be aware that they aren’t treating teeth & gingiva, but

human beings.- Motivating oral-related behavior such as maintaining good oral hygiene

& regular checkups, also spending more money on esthetic dental care 2) Dental research: - Successful research contributes to the patients’ quality of life. - Essential in promoting oral health care & access to that care.3) Dental Education:- Useful in educating people about their oral health.- Raises awareness to the impact of oral health on quality of life:

Measurement of oral health related quality of lifeThere are three groups of OHRQOL measure

1) Social indicators Large population surveys are done to show the adverse effects of oral

diseases on the population via social indicators (days of restricted activities, work and school absence from oral conditions)

2) Global self-ratings of OHRQOL Asking individuals a general question about their oral health. Can be Categorical or VAS

Categorical

Visual analogue scale

3) Multiple items questionnaires of OHRQOL The most widely used method for assessing OHRQOL. Consists of 10 OHRQOL instruments:

Oral conditions having impact on OHRQoL

1) Periodontal Disease

Several studies have emphasized on the important correlation and causation evident between periodontal diseases and systemic health

Thus it is very evident how periodontal disease can have great impact on the quality of an individual’s life, w/ it’s association w/ diseases such as:

a. Diabetes

Periodontal disease makes it more difficult to achieve glycemic control since severe periodontal disease increases BGL

b. Heart Disease

Studies shown that periodontal disease increases the risk of heart disease and exacerbates pre-existing heart conditions.

c. Stroke Research have shown that individuals w/ an oral infection were found more

likely to have acute CVI compared to the control group.

d. OsteoporosisStudies have shown a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw

e. Respiratory Disease Studies proved that oral bacteria in people w/ periodontal disease could be

aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.

f. Cancer Studies showed that people w/ gum disease were 49% more likely to

develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers.

2) Edentulism Affects masticatory function, esthetics, diet choice, & level of nutrition. Dentures interfere w/ the ability to enjoy food, speak clearly, & laugh freely. One of the worst types of damage to oral health Socioeconomically disadvantaged people are more susceptible & suffer

greater from health conditions.

3) Dental Caries Has -ve impacts on OHRQoL in people of all ages. Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common health problems

among children, these children have lower OHRQoL compared w/ the general population

4) Malocclusion

A study found a correlation between the malocclusion severity & the perception that children have about their dental appearance.

There is an association between the presence of malocclusion w/ worse OHRQoL.

Has adverse effects on body image, social interactions, & daily behavior Its treatment also has an effect on OHRQoL Studies have showed severe changes in self-image & emotional health

following orthodontic or surgical treatment of malocclusions

5) Fluorosis

Has a -ve effect on smile, esthetics, & produce functional problems Affects self-confidence, causing discomfort, & disturbs social roles of

individuals.

6) Craniofacial Disorders Has major impact on OHRQoL including limitations in verbal & nonverbal

communication, social interaction, & intimacy. Facial disfigurements from craniofacial diseases cause loss of self-esteem

and confidence, severe depression, & social disapproval; leading to limitations in educational, career, & marital opportunities.

Diet, nutrition, sleep, psychological status, social interaction, school, & work are affected by impaired oral & craniofacial health.

Cultural Influence on Oral Health

Four domains that shape people’s improper cultural beliefs & practices related to oral health thus affecting quality of life: 

1)Help-Seeking & Preventive Care In many cultures there is no preventive orientation

present, seeking care only with a present problem.  

2)Oral Hygiene Practices In many cultures there is poor understanding of gum

disease, where the concept of plaque and calculus removal is not understood.

 3)Beliefs About Teeth & the Oral Cavity

In many cultures red, swollen, recessed, & bleeding gums, painful chewing, looseness of teeth, can all be ignored as long as the visible teeth “look good”.

It is a common belief that oral health is purely hereditary, making preventive care unimportant.

In some cultures there is a belief that treating deciduous teeth is not necessary as they are going to shed anyways.

 4)Use of Folk Remedies

In some Afro-American families using cotton soaked in aspirin solution is a popular remedy for pain

In some cultures, giving an infant a pacifier dipped in honey, is an accepted tradition.

Healers in Somalia treat infants’ diarrhea by cutting into the lower gingiva & extracting the canines.

References: WHO, Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, Vol. 12, No. 6,

2006; Oral health-related quality of life: a broader perspective

Measuring Oral Health and Quality of Life, Published by: Department of Dental Ecology, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, September, 1997.

Javier de la Fuente Hernández, Fátima del Carmen Aguilar Díaz and María del Carmen Villanueva Vilchis (2015). Emerging Trends in Oral Health Sciences and Dentistry

American Academy of Periodontology, Periodontal Disease and Systemic Health

Bull World Health Organ vol.83 n.9 Genebra Sep. 2005

Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry 2013 Jan-Jun; 3(1): 1–6

Marcia Carteret, M. Ed, How Culture Affects Oral Health Beliefs and Behaviors

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