Measuring Oral Health Related Quality of Life before and after Full Mouth Rehabilitation in Children under Local Anesthesia” A Prospective Study

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL), or “Individuals’ perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns”, is now being recognized and implemented as a valid parameter in the assessment of every individual in almost every area of his physical and mental healthcare, including oral health. 1,2,3

It is well known that oral conditions affect the individual’s different aspects of life including his physical, psychological and social role. A person, whether young or old, suffering from carious teeth, gingivitis, periodontitis and other oral conditions will not perform well in his/her life. He/she will have difficulty in eating, drinking, sleeping, and going to work or school and hence won’t be able to maintain his normal life. 4 That is why studies have been lately focusing on the impact of oral diseases on the individual’s quality of life (QoL) and have been measuring this impact, since dentists should deal with patients as human beings and not merely with their teeth and gums. 4

There are different methods to measure the individual’s quality of life (QoL).