title: Impact of bullying due to dentofacial features on oral health-related quality of life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between self-reported bullying because of dentofacial features and oral health-related quality of life among a representative sample of Jordanian schoolchildren.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study in which a representative sample of sixth-grade students (age, 11-12 years) from randomly selected schools in Amman, Jordan, were asked to complete questionnaires distributed in the classroom in the presence of the researchers. The questionnaire used for this purpose was the short form of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 11- to 14-year-old children. The final sample size was 920 children (470 girls, 450 boys).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences between the sexes for the total Child Perceptions Questionnaire score and for the oral symptoms and the social well-being subscales, with boys reporting higher scores and thus more negative effects on their oral health-related quality of life. Comparison of the total scores and subscales scores for boys and girls subdivided into those who reported being bullied and not being bullied about their teeth showed that bullied boys had significantly greater effects on overall oral health-related quality of life and on all subscales than did not-bullied boys (P <0.001 for all comparisons). Bullied girls also had significantly greater effects on the overall oral health-related quality of life and all subscales than did not-bullied girls (P <0.001 for all comparisons). However, bullied boys and girls reported similar scores for the different subscales of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire; there were no significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated a significant relationship between bullying because of dentofacial features and negative effects on oral health-related quality of life. The results highlight the importance of addressing the bullying problem among schoolchildren and provide important data for educational authorities to create antibullying programs to help students receive education in a safe and healthy environment.
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. Electronic address: iyadom@ju.edu.jo.
authors.forename: Iyad K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Al-Omari
authors.affiliation: Associate professor and head, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Zaid B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Al-Bitar
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Hawazen N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Sonbol
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Hazem T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Al-Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of orthodontics, University College London Eastman Dental Institute, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Omiri
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001294:Attitude to Health; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*