Relationship between malocclusion and oral health-related quality of life among high school-pupils

Currently, the effect of oral and dental condition on patient's quality of life and daily activities is an important issue in dentistry practice. This study aimed to “evaluate the relationship between malocclusion and oral health-related quality of life among high school-pupils. In this cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, 192 high school students in city of Ahvaz, aged 18-14 years were selected through random multi-stage cluster sampling and included in the study in 2016. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 applying descriptive and inferential statistics. The Mean of the quality life of the samples was 6.48 ± 19.47, and generally, oral situation of the 26.6% of samples affected their quality of life. Most activity affected by oral situation with 15.6% was smile, and then, with 9.9%, was emotional situations. The relationship between QOL score and the dental health component of IOTN index was not significant (p= 0.13), but, there was a significant correlation between the quality of life and the aesthetic component of IOTN index (p=0.004). Given the importance of oral health in improving the overall quality of life, and since the results of this study showed that the patients are not in good condition in terms of quality of life, considering the various aspects of social and psychological situation of oral and denta hygiene in delivery of dental services, to enhance the overall quality of people's lives, is recommended.