Year : 2020

Volume : Volume 11

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Stuti Kumari.
stuti.singh011@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Early Childhood Caries is considered as one of the foremost oral diseases affecting young children. Early Childhood Caries badly affects the kids’ as well as their parent quality of life. The present study aims to assess the quality of life in children with Early Childhood Caries aged 6 months –6 year using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale. The study aims to compare the quality of life between children with pufa scores of > 0 and a pufa score = 0. Material and method: A total of 476 children aged 6 months to 6 year with Early Childhood Caries and their parent/caregiver were included in the present study. Oral examinations of the children were achieved by the principal examiner using the defs and pufa index, which was followed by a personal interview of the 13 items in the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact scale among the 476 parents/caregivers. Result: The results showed that, overall, Early Childhood Caries have a negative impact on children’s quality of life, as assessed by the parent/caregiver. The overall Early Childhood Oral Health Impact scale score ranged from 0–32 (mean ± SD, 13.10 ± 5.68). Children with a pufa score > 0 (mean ±SD, 16.14±6.27, p < 0.001) have suggestively inferior quality of life than children with pufa score = 0 (mean ± SD, 9.07 ±4.94, p < 0.001). Early Childhood Caries had a negative impact on the quality of life of children aged 6 month–6 year.

Keywords: Oral Health Impact Scale, quality of life, dental caries.