The Impact of Three Malocclusion Traits on Quality of Life among Patients Attending Dental Outpatient in Ile-Ife, Nigeria- A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Malocclusion is considered to be a prevalent oral health problem with consequences on the quality of life (QoL) of
individuals. This preliminary study aimed to determine the impact of three different malocclusion traits on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children who presented at the Department of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 30 consecutive patients who were clinically assessed for presence of increased
overjet, anterior open bite, and labial crowding. The United Kingdom Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL-UK)
questionnaire was self-administered for assessment of Qo L.
Results: The study comprised 30 respondents consisting of 11(36.7%) males and 19(63.7%) females The summary OHRQoL-UK
scores showed that increased overjet had the worst QoL with a mean score of 61. I 0 ± 8.69; followed by labial crowding and anterior open bite with mean scores of 64.80 015.83 and 65.00 ±12.04 respectively. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between these traits (p.:).73).
Conclusion: There was no clear-cut relationship between anterior open bite, increased overjet, and labial crowding and the
OHRQoL of the population sampled. However, there is a need for a larger study with adequate sample size in order to establish a conclusive relationship between these malocclusion traits and OHRQoL in the patients seeking orthodontic treatment.