Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in Polish adults with periodontal diseases, oral mucosal diseases and dental caries

Background. With the development of medicine and extending the human lifespan, the next challenge for healthcare providers is to improve the quality of life. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) is a worldwide known questionnaire that is used for assessing oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Objectives. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions and dental caries on OHRQoL among Polish adults. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study consisting of an intraoral clinical examination and a questionnaire was conducted among 250 adult patients seeking dental treatment at the University Den-tal Clinic (UDC) in Cracow, Poland. The obtained clinical data included the number of decayed, filled and missing teeth (DMFT), the presence of fixed or removable dental prostheses, the type and size of oral mucosal diseases, periodontal data based on a visual examination as well as the approximal plaque index (API) and modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI) scores, and the patient's dental history. A modified OHIP questionnaire was used, which had been previously validated amongst patients with periodontal and oral mucosal diseases. Results. In patients reporting problems with oral mucosa, the OHIP-14 scores in relation to oral mucosa and other soft tissues were higher, and the scores in relation to the teeth were lower than in patients who did not suffer from oral mucosal diseases (0.86 (0.25-1.81) vs. 0.29 (0-1.00); p < 0.001, and 0.39 (0.07-1.07) vs. 0.68 (0.29-1.29); p = 0.048, respectively). Among patients looking for treatment due to caries and other dental problems, the OHIP-14 scores relating to dentures were higher and the scores relating to oral mucosa were lower than in patients who did not report such problems (2.07 (0.96-2.15) vs. 0.64 (0-1.38); p = 0.043, and 0.14 (0-0.56) vs. 0.57 (0.14-1.31); p = 0.001, respectively). Among patients noticing prosthetic problems, the OHIP-14 scores relating to dentures were higher than in those who did not suffer from such issues (2.07 (1.23-2.36) vs. 0.64 (0-1.36); p = 0.004). Conclusions. The symptoms reported by patients with periodontal diseases, oral mucosal lesions and dental caries influenced their OHRQoL. The proper prophylaxis and treatment of these diseases are impor-tant to avoid the worsening of OHRQoL.