The impacts of gingivitis and calculus on Thai children's quality of life

J Clin Periodontol. 2012 Sep;39(9):834-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2012.01907.x. Epub 2012 Jul 12.

Abstract

Aim: To assess associations of socio-demographic, behavioural and the extent of gingivitis and calculus with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in nationally representative samples of 12- and 15-year-old Thai children.

Material and methods: In the Thailand National Oral Health Survey, 1,063 twelve-year olds and 811 fifteen-year olds were clinically examined and interviewed for OHRQoL using the Child-OIDP and OIDP indices, respectively, and completed a behavioural questionnaire. We assessed associations of condition-specific impacts (CS-impacts) with gingivitis and calculus, adjusted for socio-demographic and behavioural factors.

Results: Gingivitis and calculus were highly prevalent: 79.3% in 12-year and 81.5% in 15-year olds. CS-impacts relating to calculus and/or gingivitis were reported by 26.0% of 12-year and 29.6% of 15-year olds. Except for calculus without gingivitis, calculus and/or gingivitis in any form was significantly related to any level of CS-impacts. At a moderate or higher level of CS-impacts, there were significant relationships with extensive calculus and/or gingivitis in 12-year olds and for extensive gingivitis and gingivitis without calculus in 15-year olds.

Conclusions: Gingivitis was generally associated with any level of CS-impacts attributed to calculus and/or gingivitis. CS-impacts were related more to gingivitis than to calculus.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Cost of Illness
  • Dental Calculus / epidemiology
  • Dental Calculus / psychology*
  • Dental Health Surveys
  • Female
  • Gingivitis / epidemiology
  • Gingivitis / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Oral Health*
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Sickness Impact Profile
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Thailand / epidemiology