Oral health-related quality of life among children with atopic diseases

Abstract

Background: Atopic diseases have become a significant public health issue globally. Atopic conditions include atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. However, the impact of these diseases on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children in South Africa has been understudied, and healthcare providers may not provide appropriate dental care. Aim: To determine the oral health-related quality of life among children with atopic diseases. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 54 children with an atopic disease. Demographic and oral health behaviour information were collected. Oral Health-Related Quality of Life was measured using the validated Child Oral Health Impact Profile Short Form – 19 (COHIP-SF 19) questionnaire. Results: The sample consisted of 54 child-parent pairs, most of whom were from the City of Cape Town. In terms of atopic diseases, food allergies (90.7%) were the most prevalent, followed by atopic dermatitis (85.2%) and allergic rhinitis (75.9%). With regard to oral health behaviour, more than half the sample had never visited the dentist and most (76%) children reported brushing either once a day or less. The highest mean child COHIP-SF 19 score was for the social domain (20.07), while the lowest were for the self-image (5.94) and school (6.78) domains. A regression analysis was performed to determine how different variables affected OHRQoL. Dental visit frequency was a significant predictor of COHIP-SF 19 score; participants who reported brushing their teeth once a day had a higher COHIPSF-19 score. Conclusion: The description of oral health behaviours highlighted that a regular dental visit and frequent toothbrushing were strongly associated with improved OHRQoL. The presence of the different atopic diseases was not a significant predictor of OHRQoL. This reinforces the conclusion that oral health behavioural factors, rather than medical comorbidities, drive oral health-related quality of life in this population.