Oral health-related quality-of-life in Swedish children before and after dental treatment under general anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) in children and families before and after dental treatment under general anesthesia because of severe caries or molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH).


METHODS
A consecutive sample of the parents/caregivers of children (3-14 years) in need of treatment under general anesthesia participated in the study. The children were divided into two groups: 3-6 years and 7-14 years. The 49-item questionnaire that was administered before and after general anesthesia comprised the Child Oral Health Quality of Life-components of the Parental-Caregivers Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ), the Family Impact Scale (FIS) and two global questions concerning oral health and general well-being. The P-CPQ domains were Oral symptoms, Functional limitations, Emotional well-being and Social well-being. The FIS items assessed impact on family life.


RESULTS
In both age groups, a significant decrease (p < 0.001) occurred in overall P-CPQ and the Oral symptoms, Functional limitations and Emotional limitations domains of the P-CPQ. Mean values for the Social well-being domain decreased significantly in the older (p < 0.05) but not the younger age group. Mean values for FIS decreased significantly in the younger (p < 0.001) and the older (p < 0.05) age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental treatment of severe caries or MIH, performed under general anesthesia, had an immediate effect on the oral health-related quality-of-life in the children in this study and a positive impact on the family situation.
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University , Malmö , Sweden.
Karin
K
Ridell
Margareta
M
Borgström
Elisabeth
E
Lager
Gunilla
G
Magnusson
Susanne
S
Brogårdh-Roth
Lars
L
Matsson
D000293:Adolescent; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000523:psychology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D004644:Emotions; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
attitude to health; caregivers; children; oral health; questionnaires