Assessment of oral health-related quality of life in Nigerian children using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ 11-14)

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ABSTRACT

Aim

The study objective was to examine the impact of oral health and disease on the quality of life of a population
sample of 11 to 14-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14). The
hypothesis was that children with more severe malocclusions and greater caries experience would have higher CPQ scores
indicating worse quality of life.

Methods

A random sample of school children were selected to
participate in this study. Two hundred and forty eight children duly completed the CPQ11-14 and were examined for
malocclusion and dental caries using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and DMFT index.

Results

Overall CPQ 11-14
scores ranged from 0 to 81 with a mean of 23.44 17.19. There was no distinct gradient in mean CPQ scores across
the DAI categories of malocclusion. Children with high caries experience according to the DMFT also did not have higher
CPQ scores. Significant correlations were observed between the overall CPQ11-14 and domain scores and global ratings of
oral health and overall well-being. No statistically significant associations were found between the clinical and overall CPQ
scores.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the presence of malocclusion and dental caries did not have a significant
impact on the quality of life of the Nigerian children using the CPQ11-14. The CPQ11-14 may be unable to discriminate
between children in various malocclusion categories in all population groups. The relationship of reported quality of life and
malocclusion is probably mediated by other factors.

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