INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries and children's sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral factors, perception of general/oral health, dental anxiety, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to identify the predictors of childrens' OHRQoL.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample consisted of 200 children aged 8-10 years attending a pediatric dentistry clinic. Data were collected through clinical examinations and self-reported questionnaires. Caries severity was assessed using the dmf(t)/DMF(T) and pufa(t)/PUFA(T) indices. The questionnaire encompassed socio-demographic characteristics, the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale, oral health behaviours, self rated oral/general health, treatment need and satistaction with teeth, the Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances index. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistics were performed for data analyses.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 98 girls and 102 boys (mean age 9.1 ± 0.81 years). D component of DMFT was correlated with the dental anxiety (p < 0.05), but the PUFA/pufa and DMFT/dmft scores were not correlated. No significant differences were found in the OHRQoL and all domains regarding gender, age, school type and oral health behaviours. The OHRQoL was associated with dental anxiety, self perceived oral/general health, the number of self- reported oral problems, and satisfaction with teeth. Worse oral health self- rating and dissatisfaction with the appearance of teeth were important predictors of worse OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Anxiety and children's subjective evaluation of oral health affect children's OHRQoL. As a part of needs assesment, dentists should consider these factors together with clinical parameters when planning treatment.