Oral Health Related Quality of Life in an Adult Jamaican Population

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the impact ofsociodemographic characteristics, oral health status andbehaviours on Oral Health Related Quality of Life(OHRQoL) on an adult Jamaican population.MethodsAdults who presented for treatment at the UWI MonaDental Polyclinic participated in this cross-sectional study.Participants responded to a structured questionnaireconsisting of sociodemographic and oral hygiene habitsand were also examined for the presence of decayed,missing and filled teeth (DMFT). OHRQoL was assessedusing the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14)questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis, univariateand multiple Poisson Regression with robust variancewere performed to identify the factors impactingOHRQoL.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 120 adults between theages of 18-59 years. The mean OHIP-14 score was 9.81(±9.06), 24% presented impaired OHRQoL and 76%presented frequent impaired OHRQoL. The mostprevalent domain was physical pain (80%) followed bypsychological discomfort (59%) and the mean DMFTscore was 9.92 (±8.78). In the adjusted logisticregression, participants aged between 29-46 years (PR0.58, CI 0.37-0.90, p= 0.016) and the use of fluoridetoothpaste (PR 0.52, 95%, CI 0.35- 0.77, p = 0.001)were negatively associated with OHRQoL.ConclusionPhysical pain was the dimension that most impacteddomain in OHRQoL. The most negative OHRQoL wasassociated with the 29 to 46 years age-group and the useof fluoride toothpaste. These findings are important fororal health strategies in this population.