title: Disparities in early childhood caries and its impact on oral health-related quality of life of preschool children.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the caries experience and its impact on preschool children's quality of life and the associations between these outcomes and underlying determinants. A survey was conducted on 5- to 6-year-old children (503 in all) in Bangkok who were orally examined and interviewed on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). In addition, behavioral questionnaires were sent to parents. Associations between determinants and oral health outcomes were tested through logistic regression. It was found that 28% of children experienced high-level impacts on quality of life, mostly dental pain (58.3%) and eating difficulties (45.9%). Children of low socioeconomic status were more likely to have a high level of dental caries and subsequent OHRQoL impact. Oral status was related to oral behaviors and OHRQoL. Social disparities in preschool children's OHRQoL were identified.
authors.affiliation: Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sudaduang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krisdapong
authors.affiliation: Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand tewarit.s@chula.ac.th.
authors.forename: Tewarit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Somkotra
authors.affiliation: Department of Health of Bangkok Metropolitan, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wilai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kueakulpipat
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology