Assessment of oral health-related quality of life in adolescents, young adults, and adults with dental agenesis: A comparative study.

AIM: To detect the impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adolescents, young adults, and adults with dental agenesis (DA).

METHODS

A comparative study (1:2) matched for age and sex was designed. Data of participants, aged 14-55 years (group with DA: G1; group without DA: G2), and who answered the Brazilian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 questionnaire, were collected. One-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test were applied, considering p <.05 to be significant.

RESULTS

The final sample consisted of 90 participants (G1 = 30; G2 = 60), with a mean age of 28.76 (±10.87) years. The mean scores in the G1 and G2 groups were 5.30 ± 5.35 and 2.45 ± 3.95, respectively. Comparing the means of both groups, in terms of the total score (p = .01), psychological discomfort (p = .04), psychological disability (p = .01), and social disability (p = .04) showed statistical differences. Evaluating G1, the age did not influence the negative impact on OHRQoL. The variables, years of study (≥9), DA severity, and location of DA in the anterior and posterior regions negatively influenced OHRQoL in different domains (p <.05).

CONCLUSION

Despite low OHRQoL, DA generated negative impact on OHRQoL in adolescents/young adults, and adults.