Influence of periodontal health on the quality of life of children treated at a pediatric dentistry clinic

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the periodontal condition and the quality of life of pediatric patients, using as reference the supragingival biofilm and gingival bleeding indexes. Material and Methods: the study included systemically healthy children from 5 to 11 years of age, treated at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Salgado de Oliveira University. Quality of life questionnaires CPQ 11-14 and 8-10 and ECOHIS were applied and periodontal clinical examinations were performed to obtain the O'Leary index and gingival bleeding index scores. The questionnaires were answered by the patient, or if unable, by the legal guardians. Quality of life was dichotomized as low (G1 score<15) and high (G2 score>15). The t-test and the chi-square test (p<0.05) were applied. Results: the sample consisted of 15 children. In G1, the O'Leary index mean was 34.69 (±19.71) and the gingival bleeding index mean was 13.80 (±5.79). In G2, the O'Leary mean was 40.31 (±7.78) and the gingival bleeding index mean was 18.66 (±18.21). The quality of life did not present statistically significant difference for the O'Leary (p=0.16; t-test) and gingival bleeding indexes (p=0.15; t-test). Conclusion: the outcomes demonstrated that the indexes related to dental biofilm and presence of gingivitis did not impact the self-perception of life quality of the children under study.