Factors influencing the oral health‐related quality of life among children with severe early childhood caries in Hong Kong

摘要

Abstract Objective To assess the oral health‐related quality of life among Hong Kong preschool children with severe early childhood caries. Methods A total of 315 Hong Kong preschool children diagnosed with severe early childhood caries (S‐ECC) were recruited. Their caries and plaque status were evaluated. Their parents were asked to complete the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECHOIS) and a sociodemographic background questionnaire. Results There was a 98.7% response rate. The mean age was 4.7?±?0.8?years. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft) score was 10.2?±?4.5. Almost all the children (98.7%) had decayed teeth. More than half of the children (61.4%) had a visible plaque index (VPI) score of above 90%. About one quarter (28.9%) were experiencing symptoms of pain. The dmft score of the child was significantly associated with the ECOHIS child impact, child function, family impact and family distress domains ( P ??.001). The presence of pain was significantly associated with increased ECOHIS child and family impact scores ( P ??.001). In the multiple regression analyses, the dmft score and presence of pain showed a significant association with the ECOHIS scores ( P ??.001). Conclusion The OHRQoL of children with S‐ECC was worsened with the presence of pain and severity of the disease. More measures need to be placed to decrease the prevalence of children with S‐ECC.