Association of dental caries morbidity stages with oral health-related quality of life in children and adolescents

Background Dental caries morbidity stages and their impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) have not yet been established. Aim To compare the association of dental caries morbidity stages with OHRQoL in children and adolescents from public schools of Patos-PB, Brazil. Design A cross-sectional study was performed on 461 students at 8-10 years and 454 at 11-14 years. Caries was evaluated by Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) instrument. The maximum CAST code per individual was registered. OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Perceptions Questionnaires for children (CPQ(8-10)) and adolescents (CPQ(11-14)). Results Morbidity stage was the most prevalent caries condition in children (40.8%) and adolescents (38.1%). Factors associated with higher CPQ(8-10) scores in the multivariate regression analysis after adjustments were age [9 years, prevalence ratio (PR): 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.45; and 10 years, PR: 1.32, CI: 1.13-1.55] and dental caries status [morbidity, PR: 1.23, CI: 1.03-1.48; and severe morbidity, PR: 1.30, CI: 1.04-1.61]. The factor associated with higher CPQ(11-14) scores was dental caries status [morbidity, PR: 1.20, CI: 1.00-1.44]. Conclusions The OHRQoL of children was negatively associated with morbidity and severe morbidity stages of dental caries, while for adolescents, only morbidity had a negative association with their OHRQoL.