Association of oral health status and related factors with oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) among patients in a dental hospital in Gwangju, Korea

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the association between oral health status and oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) among patients undergoing treatment in a dental hospital, in order to develop an oral health care method for improving oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL). METHODS: A total of 980 patients aged 7-89 years were selected from a dental hospital between May 2011 and March 2014. Questionnaires on oral health impact profile (OHIP-14K) were distributed to the patients, and their dental records were examined to find out their oral health status. RESULTS: OHIP-14 scores of patients with periodontal pockets over 4 mm and presence of chronic general disease were significantly higher than those without pockets and chronic disease (P<0.05). Factors such as age, gender, having prosthesis or dental implant, regular oral health care over a period of 1 year were not significantly associated with OHIP-14 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal health status and chronic general disease could be factors associated with OHRQoL. Thus, improving oral symptoms through professional oral care may help improve OHRQoL.