title: Caregiver reported oral health-related quality of life in young American Indian children.
abstract: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children experience high rates of dental decay, yet their pediatric oral health-related quality of life (POQL) has not been described. We measured POQL in AI children and compared it in children with reported excellent/very good/good versus fair/poor oral health status (OHS) and assessed association of OHS, child's age, dental service utilization, and dental insurance on POQL scores. Caregivers of 143 AI (100 %), young (mean age 25.1 months) children reported their POQL score as 4.2 (scale 0-100, lower score indicates better POQL); OHS as excellent (35 %), very good (27 %), good (21 %), fair (14 %), and poor (3 %); and utilization of urgent dental services (12 %). Worse POQL was associated with worse OHS (p = 0.01). After adjustment, worse POQL was associated with increased reported use of urgent dental services (p = 0.004). POQL of young AI children was generally favorable but worsened with increased utilization of urgent dental services.
authors.affiliation: Colorado Health Outcomes Programs, Children's Outcomes Research, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13199 E. Montview Blvd., Suite 300 F443, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA, patricia.braun@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Kimberly E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Batliner
authors.forename: Angela G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Brega
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nadeau
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Albino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life