Effect of routine dental attendance on child oral health-related quality of life: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND

There is an improvement in oral health status among people who receive preventive dental care during their lifetime, highlighting the possible effect in resolving oral health problems and consequently oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

AIM

Assessed the effect of routine dental attendance on child OHRQoL.

DESIGN

This cohort study used baseline data from 639 preschoolers from 2010. After 7 years, 449 children were re-examined (70.3%). Mothers of the children completed a questionnaire collecting data on the pattern of use of dental services. Children were classified as adhering to long-term routine dental attendance according to their pattern of use (routine vs curative) in the baseline and in follow-up. The child OHRQoL was assessed through the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ8-10). The association between routine dental attendance and child OHRQoL was assessed using multilevel Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

The proportion of participants who reported the worst CPQ8-10 scores were higher among those who, at some point in their life, experienced a curative dental attendance. Also, the mean CPQ8-10 was two times higher for non-routine dental attendance.

CONCLUSION

The findings showed that there is an impact of long-term routine attendance on child OHRQoL. This is important for tackling oral health iniquities.