DefinePK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in patients receiving fixed orthodontic treatment
METHODS: This study was conducted at department of Orthodontics, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar from 24th March 2022 to 30th June 2022. One hundred and seventy-five patients, undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy for at least three months were included in the study. Patients with oral diseases that directly or indirectly affect OHRQoL, any previous orthodontic treatment, cognitive impairment and craniofacial anomalies were excluded. The OHRQoL was recorded using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. Independent samples t-test was used to examine the relationship between age and gender with total OHIP-14 score. Comparison of OHIP-14 score among socioeconomic levels and educational level was done using one way ANOVA.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 23.13±5.25 years, OHIP-14 score was 29.48±7.36 and 56% (n=98) were females. No significant difference was found between gender, age of the participants, socioeconomic status (SES) and the OHIP-14 score (p=0.05). Highest mean OHIP-14 score was found in ‘higher educational level’ followed by intermediate then secondary school and least in primary education level and it was very highly statistically significant (ANOVA test, p<0.001). Participants had negative effect on pronouncing words (47%), physical pain (88%), and psychological discomfort and social disability (94%).
CONCLUSION: Fixed orthodontic appliances significantly impact participants' QoL, with educational level varying, while gender, age, and SES showed no significant effect on OHIP-14 scores. Functional limitations, physical pain, psychological discomfort, and social challenges were prominent domains affected by orthodontic treatment.