IMPACT OF ORAL HEALTH ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PERSONAL SATISFACTION OF ADOLESCENTS FROM URBAN AND RURAL AREAS FROM A CITY IN BRAZIL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the impact of oral health status on the quality of life and personal satisfaction among adolescents from urban and rural areas, in Nova Friburgo, Brazil. Methods: Adolescents between 11 and 14 years, enrolled in the schools participating in the Health in School Program (HSP) of rural and urban of this city (n = 509), received the consent form for the participation in this study, along with the economic questionnaire to be handed to the responsible. Adolescent´s oral health status was evaluated clinically, through the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT); pulpal involvement, ulceration, fistula and abscess criteria (PUFA); and Dental Treatment Needs Index (DTNI). The quality of life was measured through the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ11-14), while personal satisfaction´s evaluation, through the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), both as interview. Statistical tests were performed (Chi-Square; Fisher’s exact; Mann-Whitney) with level of significance of 5%. Results: The final sample comprised 161 adolescents. The impact of oral health status on the quality of life of adolescents from both areas was not significantly different, although the aggravation of the oral condition showed a tendency to worse the quality of life. Similarly, there was no relation of the oral status with personal satisfaction, without differences between the groups. It was observed that rural adolescents presented better quality of life (p<0.010), while the urban ones had higher degree of personal satisfaction (p<0.001). Conclusion: Oral health status had a negative impact on the quality of life, but had no relation to personal satisfaction, regardless of the demographic area.