Caregiver Reported Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Young American Indian Children

Patricia A. Braun, Kimberly E. Lind, Terry Batliner, Angela G. Brega, William G. Henderson, Kristen Nadeau, Anne Wilson, Judith Albino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children experience high rates of dental decay, yet their pediatric oral health-related quality of life (POQL) has not been described. We measured POQL in AI children and compared it in children with reported excellent/very good/good versus fair/poor oral health status (OHS) and assessed association of OHS, child’s age, dental service utilization, and dental insurance on POQL scores. Caregivers of 143 AI (100 %), young (mean age 25.1 months) children reported their POQL score as 4.2 (scale 0–100, lower score indicates better POQL); OHS as excellent (35 %), very good (27 %), good (21 %), fair (14 %), and poor (3 %); and utilization of urgent dental services (12 %). Worse POQL was associated with worse OHS (p = 0.01). After adjustment, worse POQL was associated with increased reported use of urgent dental services (p = 0.004). POQL of young AI children was generally favorable but worsened with increased utilization of urgent dental services.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)951-958
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • American Indian/Alaska Native
  • Children
  • Dental caries
  • Dental services utilization
  • Early childhood caries
  • Minority health
  • Oral health status
  • Quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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