Perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ quality of life: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article was to assess the perception of parents and caregivers regarding the impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ oral health -related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods:This cross-sectional study consisted of a sample of 280 parents/caregivers of 11 and 12-year-old adolescents who answered the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). Parent-assessed quality of life of adolescents was the dependent variable. The main independent variable was adolescents’ malocclusion which was diagnosed by means of the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Based on DAI cut-off points, adolescents were classified into four grades of malocclusion, with different orthodontic treatment recommendations assigned to each grade: no need/slight treatment need, elective treatment, highly desirable treatment and mandatory treatment. Adolescents’ age and sex, as well as family monthly income, were considered as confounding variables. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results:Of the 280 parents/caregivers initially accepted in this study, 18 refused to answer the P-CPQ. Therefore, 262 individuals participated in this assessment, providing a response rate of 93.5%. The severity of adolescents’ malocclusion was significantly associated with a higher negative impact on parents’/caregivers’ perception on the oral symptoms (p< 0.05), functional limitations (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001), and social well-being (p < 0.001) subscale scores as well as on the overall P-CPQ score (p < 0.001), even after having been adjusted for the controlling variables. Conclusions:Parents/caregivers reported a negative impact of malocclusion on adolescents’ OHRQoL. Increased severity of malocclusion is associated with higher adverse impact on OHRQoL.

Severe malocclusion negatively impacts adolescents' quality of life

“…24 The dentist in the oral health service, where orthodontic treatment is provided should be concerned in providing counseling for individuals with more severe malocclusion, because the aesthetic impairment and the deterioration of their emotional and social well-beings and their overall quality of life. 25 Thus, the individual with a severe occlusal discrepancy should be under surveillance during the time he/she is waiting for because severe malocclusion may have not only functional repercussions, 26 but also because it implies in psychosocial damage to the adolescent. 27 Quality of life research provides a comprehensive and data-guided attempt to assess health care routine procedures upon the non-biological and qualitative elements of the impact of oral outcomes, such as malocclusion on individuals' lives.…”

Association between malocclusion severity and psychosocial issues among adolescents

“…23 Adolescents with misaligned teeth and/or problems with an inadequate relationship between the maxilla and the mandible may feel frustrated or unhappy with their unattractive appearance. 17,18 During adolescence, more severe occlusal discrepancies can even force the affected individuals to remain in social isolation because such young individuals feel they are unable to be accepted by their peers or they are afraid of any hostility that might take place towards them due to their adverse oral condition. 24 Therefore, the distress and disappointments that the adolescent comes up against may be due to verbal harassment from their classmates.…”

“…Dental trauma, dental caries and gingival problems were evaluated using the Andreasen criteria, the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and the Löe criteria as reported elsewhere. 17,18 Ethics The study was evaluated and approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research of UFMG (Protocol: 0421.0.203.000-11). The adolescents signed a free and informed assent form.…”

Malocclusion impacts the quality of life of Peruvian school children. A cross-sectional study.

“…Students show that their need for treatment was affected largely due to malocclusion, especially at the level of social and emotional well-being. 8, 9 These domains are relevant to interpersonal relationships and strengthening of selfesteem; 10 as such, it can be inferred that other students from the same city and age group may be in a similar condition.…”