Parental-caregiver perception of child oral-health related quality of life following zirconia crown placement and non-restoration of carious primary anterior teeth.

AIM

Dental caries in preschool children has shown significant impact on children's OHRQoL and family functioning. The aim of this study was to measure parents' perceptions of children's OHRQoL and impact of children's orofacial conditions on the family following management of carious anterior teeth with either zirconia crown placement or non-restorative therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Parents of medically fit children aged from 2 years to 6 years attending specialist paediatric clinics were recruited and a questionnaire that included the Global Oral Health Rating Item, Parent-Caregivers Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ-8) and Family Impact Scale (FIS-8) was distributed at a recall visit 3-6 months following treatment. Twenty patients were allocated in each of the two groups; zirconia crown and non-restorative therapy.

RESULTS

The Global Oral Health Rating item scores were significantly different between groups (p=0.038). Children health effects due to dental status were more among patients treated with zirconia crowns. However, PCPQ and FIS total and individual scores were not significantly different between groups (p>0.05) except that children suffered more food impaction between teeth among patients treated with zirconia crowns (p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents' perceptions of children's OHRQoL and impact on family were similar when anterior carious teeth were managed with zirconia crown placement or non-restorative therapy.