BACKGROUND

The effect of untreated dental caries and the approaches taken to its treatment have not been extensively elucidated in children.

AIM

To investigate the impact of untreated dental caries on children aged 4-9 years and whether its treatment with either a conventional or a biological approach influenced the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the children and their carers.

DESIGN

Children (n = 110) and their carers attending two specialist centres for treatment of carious primary teeth completed the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and the Self-reported Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for 5-year-old Children at baseline prior to dental treatment and at 3-6 months following completion of dental care. Dental treatment was provided using either a conventional or a biological approach.

RESULTS

Dental caries showed a negative impact on the child and family's OHRQoL (P = 0.001). Children reported difficulty eating (55.5%), sleeping (40%), and avoiding smiling because of how the teeth looked (27.3%). More than half of the parents reported their child had toothache. Parents perceived difficulty eating (40.9%), being irritable (38.2%), and difficulty drinking (30.9%) as being impacts of caries on their child's OHRQoL. In addition, approximately half the parents reported feeling a sense of guilt because of their child's dental disease. Following dental treatment, participants reported significant improvement in their overall health status (P = 0.001). Children's age, gender, or the treatment approach were not statistically significantly associated with changes in OHRQoL of the child or carer. Children and parents who initially reported greater impacts of untreated dental caries demonstrated greater improvements in their overall oral health status (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Dental caries was associated with negative impacts on children and parents' quality of life. Treatment of caries improved the quality of life of children and families significantly, irrespective of whether the treatment was provided by a conventional or a biological approach.