Impact of severity of tooth loss on oral-health-related quality of life among dental patients

Edentulism and quality of life in the Salvadoran population: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Edentulism is the partial or total loss of teeth, it is irreversible and disabling due to its sequelae in the masticatory, phonetic and aesthetic function that affect the quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To establish the impact of edentulism and sociodemographic factors on the quality of life of the Salvadoran population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data in 3322 users of the Public Health System of El Salvador, aged 15 to > 60 years. The variables under study were sociodemographic, edentulismo and quality of life. Edentulism was determined by clinical examination using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance scale. The statistical analysis was performed using χ2, OR, multiple regression analysis and set the significance threshold at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Partial edentulism in the upper jaw was present in 68.24% people, partial edentulism in the lower jaw was present in 72.42% people and complete edentulism was observed in 2.02% people. There were significant sex differences and a relationship between sex and quality of life (p < 0.004); the self-perception of severe/very severe impacts was greater in women. People without education or with primary or secondary education only were the most affected (p < 0.05). Tooth loss increases with age, affecting quality of life in a severe/very severe manner. Complete edentulism had greater impacts on quality of life in terms of eating (25.64%), speaking (21.15%), and socializing/enjoying contact with people (10.90%). A severe/very severe impact on quality of life of teeth lost was reported mainly by those over 60 years of age, with an average of 11 missing posterior teeth, 6 missing anterior teeth and 13 missing teeth per patient. Those missing up to 6 anterior teeth were times more likely to perceive severe/very severe impacts on quality of life than those without any missing teeth (OR:5.788). Edentulism affected the quality of life of those examined, especially the loss of upper anterior teeth.

Impact of prosthetic rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life of Saudi Adults: A prospective observational study with pre-post design

This study aimed to assess the impact of prosthetic treatment on the quality of life of partially/completely edentulous patients through the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) scale. This pre-post observational study was conducted in the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, between November 2022 and September 2023. Eligible participants were those aged between 26 and 80, in need of prosthetic treatment, and able to complete the questionnaire voluntarily. The questionnaire presented to the patients had two sections; the first included demographic and dentures-related variables, and the second included the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Differences in overall OHIP-14 scores after treatment about demographic and prosthesis-related factors were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test/Kruskal Wallis test with a significance level of 0.05. Out of 108 participants, 65 were males, and 43 were females with an average age of 52 years with different prosthetic treatments (13.9 % fixed prostheses, 43.5 % removable partial, and 42.6 % complete dentures). 59.3 % brushed their teeth twice or more daily, and only 36.1 % checked them regularly. Comparison between the OHIP-14 items before and after treatment revealed that subjects exhibited improvement in all the domains. OHIP-14 scores did not differ significantly in terms of age, gender, and education after treatment. OHIP-14 score was considerably higher for patients with medical conditions (P = 0.007) and among complete denture wearers compared to patients with fixed prostheses (P = 0.025). Prosthetic treatment positively impacts oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), which improved after treatment, particularly in the social domain. There was an association between patients' medical condition, prosthesis type, and OHIP-14 score.

Functional oral status and oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to investigate the association between oral functional status (defined by the number of functional teeth and functional occluding units [FOUs]) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). It also aimed to determine if dentures could compensate for the loss of FOUs in terms of OHRQoL in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore.

METHODS

Community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 years and above, were recruited from a community-based oral health functional screening programme from 1 May 2018 to 31 December 2019. During the screening, an Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire and oral examination were administered. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, univariate logistic regression and multivariate predictive modelling.

RESULTS

Data from 1037 participants were analysed (52% female; mean age 71.5 (SD 7.15)). The mean OHIP-14 score was 4.5 ± 7.2. The OHIP-14 scores were significantly associated with the number of functional teeth and the number of FOUs (p < .001). Having at least 20 functional teeth or 10 FOUs was associated with a significantly lower OHIP-14 score. Those with no FOUs had higher OHIP-14 scores compared to those with at least 10 FOUs, even in the presence of a satisfactory denture.

CONCLUSION

Maintaining at least 20 functional teeth or 10 FOUs was associated with better OHRQoL among community-dwelling older adults in Singapore. Dentures may have limited compensatory ability in terms of replacing natural functional occlusal units and maintaining OHRQoL.

An Observation Study of Caries Experience and Potential Risk Assessments among Disabled Individuals Living in an Institutional Rehabilitation Centre

The aim of this study was to conduct salivary, microbiological, and caries risk assessments in relation to caries experience among individuals with intellectual disability in an institutional center in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 89 patients residing in special care homes in the Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia, from October 2023 to February 2024. The demographic details of all participants were recorded. Clinical oral examinations were performed for the decayed, missing, or filled teeth (DMFT) and plaque indices. Salivary and microbiological assessments were also carried out. The mean age of the study sample was 30.11 ± 4.39 years, and the mean duration of years spent residing in the facility was 26.49 ± 4.66. There was no significant difference observed across plaque scores, S. mutans colony count, salivary rate, pH, DFMT, and caries experience when they were compared across the levels of severity of intellectual disability. Statistically significant differences were observed across diet score, circumstance score, and chances to avoid caries and were found to be correlated with the severity of intellectual disability (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.002), respectively. The cariogram revealed that participants in this study had poor oral health status, with participants with severe intellectual disability having higher diet scores, frequency scores, and susceptibility scores; hence lesser chances to avoid dental caries. Regular dental check-ups, including cleanings and other treatments if necessary, seem to be fundamental to prevent dental issues and maintain healthy teeth and gums for this group of people. Developing interventions that focus on improving oral health status among intellectually disabled individuals may be recommended to ensure the optimum level of support and reduce the burden of dental decay among those individuals.

Trend in the Incidence of Severe Partial Edentulism among Adults Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service Claim Data, 2014-2018

PURPOSE

Missing teeth is one of the most important indicators of oral health behavior and the result of dental caries, periodontal disease, and injuries. This study examined a trend in the incidence of severe partial edentulism (SPE) using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of adults aged ≥20 years were obtained from the KNHIS for the 2014-2018 period. SPE was defined in dental information within a population with a treatment history of dental scaling as having 1 to 8 natural teeth. Crude incidence rates (CIRs) and age-standardized incidence rates (AIRs) with 95% confidence interval were calculated per 100000 persons. The Cochran Armitage trend (CAT) test and average annual percentage change were used to analyze SPE trends.

RESULTS

The CIRs among Korean adults were from 346.29 to 391.11 in 2014-2016 and from 391.11 to 354.09 in 2016-2018. The AIRs trend statistically increased by 4.31% from 346.29 to 376.80 and decreased by 4.72% from 376.80 to 342.10. The AIRs in men increased by 4.00% and decreased by 3.01%. The AIRs in women decreased by 2.18% and increased by 2.11% (CAT; p<0.01). The AIRs by region and income also showed trends of increase and decrease.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that the incidence trend of SPE increased and decreased from 2014 to 2018. This result would be able to aid in the planning of public oral health, and may also serve as fundamental data for verifying the impact of the public oral health policies implemented.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

BACKGROUND

It is crucial to take into account the concerns of dental patients about their prosthodontic needs when planning the course of treatment. However, there is a dearth of research that examines these needs among adult dental patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to translate and validate the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale (PPTN) in Arabic.

METHODS

The 17-item PPTN scale was translated from English into Arabic and completed by 206 patients seeking prosthodontic treatment in a dental hospital in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was carried out in September and October 2023. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to ascertain the underlying factor structure; a unidimensional scale was hypothesised and tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), including several multiple model fit indices. The assessment of reliability was conducted using Cronbach's alpha. The convergent and discriminant validity of the final scale were examined.

RESULTS

EFA produced an 11-item scale distributed into three factors that explain 65.43% of the total variance with eigenvalues > 1. All items showed acceptable reliability, ranging from 0.65 to 0.84. The first factor pertained to social issues, while the second item was concerning dental appearance. Lastly, the third factor included functional difficulties associated with tooth loss or dental problems. The results of the CFA demonstrate a satisfactory level of model fit, with the standardised factor loadings ranging from 0.51 to 0.89. Convergent and discriminant validity of the model factors were established.

CONCLUSION

The translated questionnaire was deemed legitimate and would be useful in comprehending patients' perceived treatment requirements, hence contributing to the advancement of prosthodontic research and practical implementation.

Validity of self-reported number of teeth among Saudi older adults: A public health perspective

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between self-reported and clinically measured numbers of teeth in older adults from Almadinah Almunawwarah, KSA, and to identify factors associated with self-reporting accuracy.

Methods

This study included 337 older adults (≥60 years). Participants completed a survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, self-rated oral and general health, and the self-reported number of teeth. Clinical examination was conducted using the 2013 criteria published by the World Health Organization. Bland-Altman plots and correlation coefficients were used to assess the agreement between self-reported and clinically measured teeth.

Results

The mean age of the study participants was 67.1 (SD = 6.5) years, and the majority were males (71.2%). The self-reported teeth count was higher than the clinically measured number, and only 47.7% (n = 161) of the sample showed complete agreement between the two measures. The mean difference between the self-reported and clinically recorded number of teeth was 0.41 teeth, and almost two-thirds of the study participants reported their number of teeth within an error margin of two teeth (p < 0.001). Both Spearman's and Pearson's correlation methods revealed a significant positive correlation between the two measures. Specifically, the Spearman's rho was 0.91, while Pearson's r coefficient was 0.96.

Conclusion

Among Saudi older adults, the self-reported number of teeth correlated with the clinically measured numbers of teeth. This suggests that self-reports can be a reliable and cost-effective method for assessing oral health in large-scale surveys, potentially guiding health policies and interventions for older adults.

How Mental Health Correlates with Subjective Oral Health Status: A Cross-Sectional Study among a Group of University Students

AIM

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between subjective oral health status and mental illness in a group of university students in Riyadh City of Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A self-report questionnaire collected data on demographics, subjective oral health and mental health. The Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scales were administered. Students' participation was voluntary. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

RESULTS

A total of 614 students participated in the study, 45.28% (n = 278) were males and 54.72% (n = 336) were females. Oral health status was assessed, and most participants rated their oral health status as good 53.75% (n = 330). This study also assessed mental health among the participants and found that 50.49% (n = 310) of students were suffering from different degrees of depression. Approximately, 46.74% (n = 247) of students reported experiencing certain degrees of generalized anxiety disorder. Mental disorders were significantly correlated with subjective oral health status, since participants who rated their oral health as poor or very poor tended to have higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. In conclusion, the findings showed a notable relationship between mental disorders and subjective oral health status among a group of university students. Therefore, the results can be used to help improve service provision, which would ultimately enhance students' mental health.

Measures of oral health-related quality of life in patients with bone graft and implant prosthetic rehabilitation at the anterior of mandible/maxilla among young and middle-aged adults: a retrospective pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Dental implants are believed to contribute to improved masticatory function and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL), but the details remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation after bone graft at the anterior mandible/maxilla based on OHRQOL, particularly in young and middle-aged patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 11 patients who received bone grafts at the anterior mandible/maxilla and dental implant surgery. Chewing function score and OHRQOL (using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire) were evaluated before and after completion of an implant-retained bridge or removable implant-supported denture.

RESULTS

Chewing function score tended to improve slightly after dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation, but none of the observed differences were significant. In the assessment of OHRQOL, relatively worse domain scores before completion of dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation were seen for Functional limitation, Psychological discomfort, and Psychological disability. Conversely, Social disability seemed relatively unaffected by tooth loss. All domain scores and total scores for items other than Physical disability and Social disability were significantly improved after completion of dental implant rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Tooth loss in the anterior region may not significantly affect chewing function score, but can have a significant impact on OHRQOL. Bone grafts and dental implant prosthetic rehabilitation can resolve these problems, and the results of this study will benefit both patients and medical professionals in terms of treatment planning and informed consent.

Dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment

OBJECTIVES

To (1) investigate dental anxiety (DA) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) and (2) determine correlations between these patient-reported measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographics, smoking habits, dental pain, Modified Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were assessed in eighty-two participants.

RESULTS

Mean age was 48.3 years ± 11.5. At baseline, 8.5% reported being active smokers. Of non-smokers, 11% reported being an ex-smoker. After NSPT, 11.0% reported smoking. Patients' maximal pain in the last month decreased after therapy. Before treatment, participants reported higher DA. Extreme DA was observed in 8.5% of participants before therapy. Afterwards, 2.4% of participants reported extreme DA. Fear of having a foreign object in the mouth decreased after NSPT. All OHIP-14 scores, except functional limitation, improved post-treatment. Higher DA was associated with worse OHRQoL before treatment. After treatment, total MDAS score was associated with OHIP-14 global score, physical pain, psychological disability, and social disability. Worse MDAS sub-scores were associated with a higher OHIP-14 global score. Individuals with "normal/slight anxiety" had a significant improvement in OHRQoL, whereas people in the "moderate and extreme anxiety" group did not report a significant improvement. Patients diagnosed with generalized periodontitis (GP) stage III grade B and GP stage IV grade B reported less anxiety after NSPT.

CONCLUSIONS

Associations of MDAS subcategories with OHIP-14 domain scores were found before and after therapy. DA decreases and OHRQoL enhances after NSPT in patients with "normal/slight" anxiety to dental treatment. Dental practitioners should plan strategies to cope with anxiety to dental treatment and prevent decreases in OHRQoL.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Within the limitations of this study, DA and OHRQoL were positively correlated in patients with periodontitis, before and after NSPT, using the MDAS and OHIP-14 questionnaires. The results of our study suggest that treatment is effective in terms of alleviating DA and improving oral health, along with quality of life, in patients that report "normal/slight" anxiety to dental treatment. Nonetheless, results must be interpreted with caution since patients are generally anxious before any type of dental treatment. DA may not just be confined to NSPT per se. According to our results, evaluation of both outcomes should be an integral part of routine periodontal clinical evaluation and periodontal reevaluation of initial therapy. It is important that clinicians learn to identify patients that suffer from anxiety and take time to explain the treatment procedures to the patient, to strive for patient's emotional well-being before, during, and after dental care services. The use of specific questionnaires for both DA and OHRQoL may be more appropriate to demonstrate the psychological and quality of life differences due to periodontal disease and NSPT.

The impact of enzyme replacement therapy on the oral health manifestations of hypophosphatasia among children: a scoping review

PURPOSE

A scoping review to describe the use of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in the form of asfotase alfa to decrease the severity of oral manifestations in children with hypophosphatasia (HPP).

METHODS

Six databases were searched using keywords and index terms related to "hypophosphatasia," "children," and "enzyme replacement therapy." Duplicates were removed and two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts to identify articles for full-text review. Extracted data was summarised narratively.

RESULTS

The systematic search identified 3548 articles, with 171 suitable for full-text review and a final 22 that met inclusion criteria. Enzyme replacement therapy generally resulted in a reduction in the presence and severity of oral manifestations of HPP. However, numerous studies failed to report specific details regarding the nature of oral health outcomes and there were reported cases of further loss of primary teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence suggests that that ERT in the form of asfotase alfa for HPP in infants and young children leads to improved oral health outcomes. It is recommended that the outcomes are improved with earlier initiation of ERT. Further, well-designed clinical research is required to assess oral health improvements and decreased morbidity associated with the early loss of teeth.

Periodontal Therapy in Bariatric Surgery Patients with Periodontitis: Randomized Control Clinical Trial

Background: Bariatric surgery (BS) patients may experience the progression of periodontitis during recovery. We aimed to determine whether non-surgical periodontal therapy before BS improves the periodontal and systemic health parameters after the surgery. Methods: BS candidates with periodontitis were randomized into the test (TG) and control group (CG). One month before BS (pre-BS), patients in the TG (n = 15) received non-surgical periodontal therapy, while patients in the CG (n = 15) received only mechanical plaque removal. Patients were re-examined 3 and 6 months after BS. Differences between the TG and CG in clinical periodontal parameters, systemic health-related serum biomarkers, parameters of obesity, and prevalence of obesity-related diseases were evaluated. Results: From the 30 included patients, 26 were re-examined at 3 months and 20 patients at 6 months. Periodontal parameters bleeding on probing (p = 0.015), periodontal pocket dept (PPD, p = 0.0015), % PPD > 4 mm (p < 0.001), and full-mouth plaque levels (p = 0.002) were lower in the TG than in the CG at 6 months after BS. There is a general improvement in systemic health after BS without significant differences (p > 0.05) between the TG and CG at the 6-month follow-up. The TG shows a tendency for improvement in metabolic syndrome components at the 6-month follow-up compared to pre-BS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Non-surgical periodontal therapy in periodontitis patients before the BS may improve periodontal health 3 and 6 months after the surgery. The possible benefits of periodontal therapy on the overall health of BS patients should be further explored.

The Link between Stroke Risk and Orodental Status-A Comprehensive Review

One of the primary causes of disability and mortality in the adult population worldwide is stroke. A person's general health is significantly impacted by their oral and dental health. People who have poor oral health are more susceptible to conditions such as stroke. Stroke risk has long been linked to oral and dental conditions. The risk of stroke and its cost impact on the healthcare systems appear to be significantly reduced as a result of the decline in the incidence and prevalence of oral and dental illnesses. Hypothetically, better management of oral hygiene and dental health lead to reduced stroke risk. To the authors' best knowledge, for the first time, the potential link between dental health and stroke were cross-examined. The most typical stroke symptoms, oral and dental illnesses linked to stroke, and the role of oral healthcare professionals in stroke prevention are revealed. The potential mediating processes and subsequent long-term cognitive and functional neurological outcomes are based on the available literature. It must be noted that periodontal diseases and tooth loss are two common oral health measures. Lack of knowledge on the effects of poor oral health on systemic health together with limited access to primary medical or dental care are considered to be partially responsible for the elevated risk of stroke. Concrete evidence confirming the associations between oral inflammatory conditions and stroke in large cohort prospective studies, stratifying association between oral disease severity and stroke risk and disease effects on stroke survival will be desirable. In terms of clinical pathology, a predictive model of stroke as a function of oral health status, and biomarkers of systemic inflammation could be useful for both cardiologists and dentists.

Dental Anxiety and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life among Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between dental anxiety (DA) and oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among rural community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 390 rural community-dwelling older adults attending outpatient clinics of the Damanhur National Medical Institute during the year 2021. Three instruments were used: a demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-5) questionnaire. All statistical analyses were considered significant at a p-value of ≤0.001. Results: The main results showed that the prevalence of DA among participants was 90.5%, and 66.9% of the studied elderly population were either extremely (phobic) or very anxious. Moreover, a significant association was found between older adults’ DA and their OHRQoL (p ˂ 0.001). Conclusions: It was concluded that DA represents a common problem among rural community-dwelling older adults and is a predictor for poor OHRQoL. Raising community awareness about the importance of oral health and implementing measures to avoid DA through specialized community campaigns is recommended, particularly in rural areas.

Oral Health Status of Adult Dysphagic Patients That Undergo Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Long Term Enteral Feeding

Background: Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is required to maintain a feeding route when neurological or cancer dysphagia impact oral intake. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health and oral changes of PEG-patients without oral feeding for three months. Methods: Prospective observational study, with a PEG-patients convenience sample. Data were obtained before PEG (T0) and 3 months after gastrostomy (T1). Initial oral hygiene habits were collected through a questionnaire. Intra-oral evaluation was performed using: Plaque Index (IP), Gingival Index (IG), Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMF), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and Attachment Loss (AL). T0 and T1 were compared to evaluate oral health evolution. Results: Thirty-nine patients aged 65.3 ± 17.4 years were included. Initial (T0) oral health was worse than expectable. Between assessments period, oral indexes suffered a general deterioration with statistical relevance to the DMF. The frequency of deep periodontal pockets and attachment loss remained stable. Conclusions: PEG-patients presented poor oral health and insufficient oral hygiene habits, even before gastrostomy. After three months of PEG feeding, oral health suffered a general deterioration. This outcome was probably associated with the absence of oral feeding activity, which is beneficial to oral homeostasis, and further reduced oral hygiene. Improved oral daily care and dental appointments should become part of the PEG-patients follow-up.

Exploring the Quality of Life for Saudi Patients Utilizing Dental Healthcare Services: A Systematic Review

Over three billion people globally are affected by oral diseases. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has declared a new vision for 2030, which includes an aim to improve the quality of healthcare in the Kingdom while maintaining the efficacy of spending. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) is a quality of life instrument that helps evaluate health status. This study aims to evaluate equity in accessing dental services and the integration of different types of dental services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A systematic review of the MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and EBSCOhost Research Databases was conducted on August 1, 2021. To answer the research question, the SPIDER search tool that identified the sample, the phenomenon of interest, design, evaluation, and research type prior to conducting the review was adapted. Multiple steps were followed to identify the results. The first step was scanning and selecting the related titles. The second step involved reviewing the abstracts, and the third step involved scanning the full manuscript for all criteria to determine and validate the eligibility of the articles. Twenty-two articles remained in the final stage of the study. The first study applying the OHIP instrument in the KSA was in 2010, and the latest was in 2021. In terms of cities, nine cities accounted for research within eight administrative regions. Of the 4794 patients recruited within these reviewed articles, the highest number of patients reported was 1141 for fashion braces, while the minimum number of patients was 32 for conventional complete dentures. This study shows that the Arabic OHIP tool was successfully adapted by multiple dental studies in the KSA with various dental services and results were reported. The reviewed studies suggest that equity and integration of dental health services are well established in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the major role of dental academic researchers has been identified.

Impact of Tooth Loss Position on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults Treated in the Community

BACKGROUND

Tooth loss is known to have negative effects on both functional and psychological oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), but the impact of the position of the tooth loss (i.e. anterior or posterior) on the different psychosocial dimensions of OHRQoL has yet to be examined. Here, we examined how the position of lost teeth impacts the different dimensions of OHRQoL.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study of adults aged 18 years and older attending routine examinations at primary care dental centers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Demographic information was collected, and OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) (Arabic form). Differences in total and subdomain OHIP-14 scores between individuals without tooth loss and those with ≥1 anterior or posterior missing teeth were assessed using Student's t-test, and analysis of covariance was used to assess the association between the presence and absence of missing teeth in each compartment and total and subdomain OHIP-14 scores after controlling for age, gender, and income.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of tooth loss was 76%. In multivariate analysis controlling for age, gender, and income as covariates, anterior missing teeth were significantly associated with higher OHIP-14 total, physical pain, physical disability, psychological disability, and social disability scores, accounting for 6%-12% of the score variance. However, posterior missing teeth were only associated with total OHIP-14 and functional limitations domain scores, accounting for 6% and 7% of the variance, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we show for the first time the impact of the location of missing teeth on different OHRQoL dimensions. Anterior tooth loss has a wide-ranging impact on both physical and psychosocial functioning compared to posterior tooth loss, suggesting that anterior tooth restoration should be prioritized when treatment planning. The position of lost teeth must be considered in addition to the number of losses when examining the impact of tooth loss and its treatment on OHRQoL.

Impact of Oral Diseases and Conditions on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Narrative Review of Studies Conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a novel concept that has evolved over the past two decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recognized it as a significant part of the Global Oral Health Program (2003). Information on OHRQoL gives better understanding about feelings and perceptions on an individual level. It also helps us to understand the impact of oral health on the lives on the patients and their family. It is now well documented that oral diseases and conditions impact people’s life. Some of the oral diseases/conditions like caries, dental fluorosis, tooth loss, periodontal disease, dental injuries, oral cancer, dental anomalies, craniofacial disorders, and many more have got negative impact on QoL. This paper identifies the various literatures published on the impact of oral diseases and conditions on OHRQoL in the population of Saudi Arabia. Although numerous researches can be found in other countries, the data on Saudi Arabian population are limited, leading to the need for carrying out more research in this area.