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Assessing the impact of oral health on the life quality of children: implications for research and practice
Author(s) -
McGrath Colman,
Broder Hillary,
WilsonGenderson Maureen
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2004.00149.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , oral health , quality of life (healthcare) , population , clinical practice , family medicine , environmental health , nursing , psychiatry
– Traditionally, child oral health has been assessed using clinical parameters of disease and deformity. However, there is a growing interest in the psychosocial impact of oral health among children. This commentary outlines the value and need for assessing child oral health‐related quality of life (COHQoL). COHQoL has implications for oral health needs assessment (at an individual and population level) and for evaluating outcomes from specific treatments, initiatives and dental services overall. In addition, it could prove to be a useful adjunct tool for evidence‐based dentistry research and practice. Theoretical and practical considerations in assessing the complex psychosocial construct of oral health among children are discussed: the use of general versus oral health‐specific measures, the development of tools for children, the use of generic versus condition‐specific measures, and the measurement of ‘positive’ oral health. Recommendations for research and practice are presented.