Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the impact of two occlusal traits on the quality of life of children and their families.

Methods A total of 180 subjects, which included 90 consecutive patients (aged 13-15 years) and their parents, were recruited on the basis of predetermined criteria to the following groups: increased overjet, spaced dentition and control. Each subject and their parent underwent separate supervised completion of a Child or Parental-Caregiver Perception questionnaire, respectively, which are components of the Child Oral Health Quality of Life questionnaire.

Results The three groups were shown not to demonstrate any differences in socio-demographic characteristics. Statistically significant differences were observed between children in the control group and their counterparts in the increased overjet (p = 0.002) and spaced dentition (p < 0.001) groups. However, no such difference was detected between children in the increased overjet and spaced dentition groups (p = 0.5). Parents of these children demonstrated similar statistical findings: p = 0.007, p = 0.003 and p = 0.9, respectively.

Conclusions Occlusal traits such as an increased overjet and a spaced dentition have a significant negative impact on both the children's and their families' quality of life.

1. Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Orthodontics, 3^rd Floor, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, New Road, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB
2. Clinical Lecturer, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, Turner Street, London, E1 2AD
3. Professor of Oral Epidemiology, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, Turner Street, London, E1 2AD

Correspondence to: A. Johal¹ e-mail: a.s.johal@qmul.ac.uk