Impact of oral health on quality of life among Tibetan adolescents in Suoxian County: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Oral health (OH) is critical to overall wellbeing, yet its impact on quality of life (QoL) among Tibetan adolescents in remote regions such as Suoxian County remains poorly understood. This study investigates the prevalence of oral-health issues and their effects on QoL in this population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Suoxian County, Tibet. The primary cohort comprised 811 adolescents aged 13-15 years recruited from Suo County Middle School, who underwent clinical oral examination and completed the Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP) questionnaire to evaluate oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). A smaller, exploratory adult cohort (n = 49) was clinically examined at Suo County People's Hospital to provide a preliminary descriptive context. However, this cohort did not complete a validated OHRQoL instrument and was not included in the primary analyses. Clinical examinations assessed dental status using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, gingival bleeding, and dental calculus.

RESULTS

Clinical examinations revealed a high prevalence of oral-health problems among Tibetan adolescents (n = 811): 48.7% had DMFT >0, 68.9% exhibited gingival bleeding, and 50.3% presented with dental calculus. The Child-OIDP questionnaire demonstrated moderate overall QoL impairment (mean score: 17.6% of maximum), with 75.6% reporting at least one oral impact. Eating was the most affected domain (mean score: 1.1). Regression analyses identified dental calculus (β = 0.28, p = 0.004) and DMFT >0 (β = 0.17, p = 0.028) as significant predictors of reduced QoL. Adults (n = 49) showed similarly high rates of untreated caries, periodontal disease, and limited dental care access.

CONCLUSION

Oral-health problems are widespread among Tibetan adolescents and significantly impair their QoL, particularly through effects on eating.