Oral Health Impact Profile in adult Polish population.

BACKGROUND

Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a significant patient-oriented outcome which should be considered in diagnostic, decision making and therapeutic process by dentists.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the influence of a condition of teeth, oral mucosa and dentures on the OHRQoL among patients seeking dental treatment in the University Dental Clinic (UDC) in Kraków, Poland.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

250 patients took part in a cross-sectional study conducted in the UDC in Kraków. Collected clinical data included: oral mucosa and periodontal condition, number of Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth (DMFT index), presence of dentures. Questionnaire part of the study has been based on OHIP-14 questionnaire.

RESULTS

The condition of teeth worsened OHRQoL in following groups of patients: first-time visitors, smokers, with periodontal diseases and without oral mucosal diseases. There was a positive significant correlation between number of decayed teeth and OHRQoL related to teeth. The condition of oral mucosa significantly impaired OHRQoL in: women, patients with oral mucosal diseases and those who undergone prosthetic treatment in the last year. There was a correlation between number of missing teeth, DMFT index, age and subscale 2 of the form. The condition of dentures significantly impaired the OHRQoL in patients: who used removable dental prostheses, undergone prosthetic treatment in the last year and females. There was a positive correlation between subscale 3 of the questionnaire and number of missing teeth and DMFT index and a negative correlation with number of filled teeth within this subscale.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of patient's OHRQoL is one of important components for successful dental treatment.