Oral health manifestations and the perceived quality of life among Saudi children: a cross-sectional study

Background: This cross-sectional study addresses scarcity of evidence on oral health issues among Saudi children and their impact on quality of life (OHRQL). We aimed to investigate parental reports of oral health problems in children and their effect on their OHQRL. Methods: Parents of children aged 2-11-years from Five-Saudi regions participated from February 2021 to July 2021 by completing an electronic, self-administered questionnaire structured according to World Health Organization-Oral Health Questionnaire for children. It comprises questions on children experiencing oral pain/discomfort, oral lesions/manifestations and reduction in their OHRQL. Results: Among 1,516 responders, 1,107 (73.0%) reported that their children experienced toothache/discomfort. The possibility of parents reporting toothache/ discomfort or oral manifestations decreased with younger children. For children aged 2-5 years, the odds ratio (AOR) was 0.18 (95% CI [0.13-0.24], P < 0.001) for toothache and 0.58 (95% CI [0.45-0.74], P < 0.001) for oral manifestations. For children aged 6-8 years, the AOR was 0.57 (95% CI [0.4-0.81], P = 0.002) for toothache. Additionally, parents of younger children less frequently reported reduced OHRQL with AORs of 0.58 (95% CI [0.45-0.73], P < 0.001) for children aged 2-5 years and 0.64 (95% CI [0.49-0.83], P < 0.001) for those aged 6-8 years. Lower parental education increased AORs, with values of 1.575 (95% CI [1.196-2.074], P = 0.001) and 1.505 (95% CI [1.208-1.876], P < 0.001) for younger and 6-8-year-old children, respectively. Conclusion: Results revealed notable prevalence of toothache/discomfort and oral manifestations in children reported by parents, which was related to age and parental education; ultimately leading to reduction in their OHRQL.