Dental & Oral Health

Biography

Biography: Maria Orellana Valvekens

Abstract

Objectives: This multi- center study was aimed to assess how the burden of caries and malocclusion independently affects the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of Latino children/adolescents living in the US, Peru and Mexico Methods: A total of 2000 students aged 12 to 19 years were recruited from the US, Peru and Mexico in six different sites. Th is study was a collaborative effort between four universities. Our sample was representative of various socioeconomic levels and populations densities in each country. Th e Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP) was utilizes to assess the OHRQoL. Caries was quantified utilizing the Decayed, Missing and Filled Surface index (DMFS) and malocclusion using the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON). We also evaluated the cross-sectional concurrent validity of the COHIP in each participating country. Results: A significant decrease in OHRQoL was detected in relation to Malocclusion Treatment Need in Mexico, Peru, and the US. However, this was not consistently reflected in the COHIP subscales across sites. Only Social/Emotional Well-Being appears to be a significant contributor (P=0.04) to the decrease. An increasing burden of caries appears to significantly decrease OHRQoL. It is not clear which subscale contributes to this decrease. In rural and indigenous population, caries and malocclusion had not effect on OHRQoL. Students living in urban setting experienced a linear relationship between malocclusion severity, caries experience and OHRQoL. Overall, the COHIP appears to be concurrently valid in each country (P<0.01). Conclusions: Th e overall analysis of the sample shows an apparent effect of caries and malocclusion in OHRQoL of Latino students. However, the difference of this effect between rural/indigenous and urban samples demonstrates that acculturation and demographic settings may modify the effect of caries and malocclusion in OHRQoL.