Oral heatlh status and oral health related quality of life in school children, Meuang District, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

          This purpose of descriptive cross-sectional study was to investigate oral health status and oral health related quality of life in primary school children. The subjects were 308 participations from 5 schools in Meuang District, Khon Kaen Province. The experience of having dental caries was assessed using dental health survey. Self-report questionnaires were conducted in children. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was performed to determine the relationship between dental caries and impact score of oral health.

          The result showed that 65.26% of children had dental caries. The average of decayed, filled, extracted in permanent teeth was 2.03 teeth/person. Debris index was 0.97, Calculus index was 0.41 and Simplified oral hygiene index was 1.38. The oral health related quality of life showed that 70.78% of children had impacts on their daily performances. Daily performances that related to oral health in this group were eating, teeth cleaning, relaxing/sleeping, smiling/laughing, maintaining usual emotional state, speaking, social contact and studying with 55.5%, 37.3%, 30.8%, 30.8%, 26.9%, 19.2%, 16.9% and 14.6% respectively. Decay teeth were statistically significant associated with oral health related quality of life (p < 0.001). Children who had dental caries were affected more than those who did not have dental caries 3.78 times.

          This study showed that oral health status of children related to quality of life in physical, psychological and social wellbeing. The evidence from the result can be used for oral health promotion planning in primary schools.