Impact Produced by Oral Conditions on the Quality of Life of Brazilian Workers of a Mixed-Economy Company

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact on quality of life caused by oral health problems among administrative sector employees of a mixed-economy company, residents in Vitória, Brazil. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study used a random sample of 167 individuals. Quality of life measured by the subjective indicator OHIP-14, was the outcome considered; independent variables were sociodemographic, oral health dental services use and perceived prosthesis need. OHIP evaluates impairments in the three dimensions of social, psychological and physical functional conditions. To evaluate differences between groups, Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact Tests were used (p<0.05). To assess the strength of association, Odds-Ratio was calculated. Results: The health professional most sought by individuals in the last 12 months was the dentist (88.5%), agreed by the company (62.6%) due to prevention reasons (62.6%). The prevalence of impact caused by oral health problems was 7.8% and most recorded dimensions were physical pain (6%) and psychological discomfort (5.4%). Impact perception was greater among individuals who declared need for partial removable denture at functional limitation and psychological incapacity dimensions. Subjects that used urgency oral health services presented more impact at psychological discomfort dimension. Conclusion: The impact frequency was low. Objective and subjective measures can provide accurate analysis to support health policies directed to the real population needs.

Tooth Loss, Sociodemographic Conditions and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in the Elderly

“…On the other hand, the impact frequency of 7.8% observed in the study developed with workers of a mixed-economy company in the capital of Espírito Santo can be considered low [14]. It is believed that the high schooling and purchasing power of these individuals provided access to private and free choice dental services agreed upon by the company, which were preponderant for the result obtained.…”

“…The SB Brasil 2010 project, the last national epidemiological survey, shows that 68% of adults who were interviewed claimed need for some type of prosthesis, and the partial prosthesis in a dental arch was the main claim [26]. Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals in need of prostheses have greater negative impacts on OHRQoL [3,14,16,27]. Thus, the relevance of these findings is understood, considering that deficiencies in the stomatognathic system can cause chewing, speech and aesthetics problems [28], leading to negative oral health self-perception.…”