Impact of orthodontic treatment on oral health related quality of life at a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria: A pilot study

Abstract

Aims: Malocclusion may not be life-threatening but it is an important public health problem, which has impact on the domains of discomfort, social and functional limitations. Orthodontic treatment may also cause functional restrictions, discomfort and pain. This study aimed to determine the impact of orthodontic treatment on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of a group of patients receiving care at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. (LASUTH). Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among patients that were registered for care at the orthodontic clinic and had commenced fixed appliance therapy for one month. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic information and to assess the orthodontic profile as well as the OHRQoL of the respondents. Results: The highest OHRQOL scores were observed in the subdomains of self-consciousness, pain, discomfort on chewing, being irritable and embarrassment. Subjects aged between 21–40 years had the highest mean impact scores (32.93±7.86). Similarly, females and tertiary educated respondents had the highest mean impact scores (29.93±7.48). Respondents with definite malocclusion had the lowest mean OHIP-14 scores (18.00) while the respondent with very severe handicapping malocclusion had the highest mean scores (26.98). Respondents that had poor oral hygiene had a higher mean OHIP-14 scores (1.93±0.54) even though the association was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment appears to be associated with a negative impact on the OHRQoL of respondents at the early stage of orthodontic treatment. This impact was highest in females, those aged between 21–40 years and those with a tertiary education. It is imperative that patients are adequately psychologically prepared before treatment commences and that care is taken to reduce iatrogenic damage to improve their likelihood of completing it.