Oral Health and Quality of Life in adults living in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To assess the oral health-related quality of life of adult people regarding social, physical and psychological aspects. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional research conducted with adults living in Northeastern Brazil. Patients were assessed through three questionnaires: Sociodemographic (age, gender, skin color, marital status, education and income); OHIP-14 - instrument that assesses the impact of oral health on quality of life; COHI - Community Oral Health Indicator, which assesses: 1- Masticatory capacity; 2- Oral health injuries; 3- Use of dental prosthesis; 4) Dental visits. Results: The research was conducted from January to April 2015 in two randomly-selected Primary Health Care centers Participants were 264 people whose age ranged 18-59 years (mean 37.06 years and SD±10.994). Statistically significant differences were found between mean OHIP scores and socioeconomic data: skin color (p= 0.036) and education (p=0.022), oral health status: no visible cavities (p<0.001), sore gums (p=0.005), three or more visible cavities (p<0.001), and soft tissue injuries (p= 0.005). Conclusion: Quality of life was shown to be influenced by oral health status, although many interviewees reported having a good quality of life.