Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: Part III Index for Primary School Children

Abstract

The topic of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in children is relatively new comparing to the emergence of OHRQoL concept and indices for adults since 1970s. This is partly because assessing a child’s perception towards his/her health is problematic and required different approach from that of adult. Children perceive, interpret and prioritise things in a different way from adults. OHRQoL measures for children need to suit their cognitive, language emotional and social developments as well as their interest. Research on child OHRQoL has been growing during the past decade due to the fact that children, at the age of primary school level, are the main target group of oral health services orldwide. Although dental caries has apparently been decreased, it is known that quality of life of children is still negatively affected due to their oral problems. This article describes 2 OHRQoL index for use in primary school children; the CPQ and the Child-OIDP indices. As long as children’s quality of life remains a prime goal of oral health services for children, knowledge on OHRQoL measures would be required for dental public health personnel and policy holders in order to direct the services towards the goal.