Quality of Life Among Dutch Children With a Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate: A Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of the present study were to examine the impact of a cleft lip and/or palate on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children, to examine differences between the OHRQoL scores reported by children and their parents, and to examine differences between the scores over 4 years for a subgroup of children.

DESIGN

Prospective blinded questionnaires.

SETTING

All patients were recruited from a university clinic at Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample consisted of 170 children (age between 8 and 18 years) and their parents.

INTERVENTIONS

All participants completed the validated Dutch version of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The OHRQoL of children with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) was measured.

RESULTS

Parents scored significantly higher than children on the subscale "Oral Symptoms." On the subscale "Functional Well-Being," parents scored significantly lower than children. Females scored significantly higher with regard to the subscales "Functional Well-Being" and "School" in comparison to males. Children with a bilateral CL/P scored significantly lower on the subscale "Functional Well-Being" and "School" than other subgroups. Children reported a decrease in "Oral Symptoms" and "Emotional Well-Being" over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Children and their parents both reported high OHRQoL overall with some areas of difference. Females reported a better OHRQoL on "Functional Well-Being" and "School." Children with the more complex bilateral CL/P had a significantly lower OHRQoL score on "Functional Well-Being," "School," and overall COHIP.