Association among quality of life, dental caries treatment and intraoral distribution in 12-year-old South Brazilian schoolchildren

Objectives To assess the association between dental caries treatment, intraoral distribution and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 12-year-old South Brazilian schoolchildren. Methods This cross-sectional survey used a multistage probability sampling strategy to select a representative sample of schoolchildren from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Data were collected from September 2009 to December 2010, and 1528 of 1837 eligible schoolchildren attending public and private schools participated. Clinical examination was conducted to assess dental caries experience (DMFT). OHRQoL was assessed by a self-reported 16-item Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ1114). Parents/legal guardians answered questions on socio-economic status. Survey negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between CPQ1114 scores and caries treatment status (treated/untreated) and intraoral distribution (anterior/posterior). Estimates were controlled for gender and socio-economic status. Results Compared to schoolchildren without treatment needs, individuals with treated caries presented an improved OHRQoL (overall CPQ1114, adjusted RR = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.850.96; functional limitations, adjusted RR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.750.99; emotional well-being, adjusted RR = 0.89, 95%CI = 0.800.99), whereas those with untreated caries presented a poorer OHRQoL (oral symptoms, adjusted RR = 1.06, 95%CI = 1.021.10; emotional well-being, adjusted RR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.011.20). Individuals with caries in anterior teeth experienced greater negative impact on oral symptoms (adjusted RR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.051.18) and social well-being (adjusted RR = 1.30; 95%CI = 1.141.47) domains than caries-free students. Conclusions Treated caries was positively associated with OHRQoL; untreated caries and caries affecting anterior teeth were negatively associated with OHRQoL of 12-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren.