505 - Child’s Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Caregiver Relationship

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children who reside with a biological parent with children who reside with a person other than a biological parent. 

Methods: Sixty caregivers (30 biological parents and 30 caregivers other than biological parents) completed a modified child perception questionnaire consisting of 24 multiple choice questions. The questions pertained to the child's symptoms, functional limitations,emotional and social well-being. The 5 responses for each question: "never", "once or twice", "sometimes", "often", and "everyday or almost everyday" were assigned ordinal numbers of "0-4" for scoring purposes. These questionnaires were completed during routine dental appointments at the University of Toledo Pediatric Dental Service.

Results: The children were divided into 4 groups based on age and relationship to caregiver. Group 1 corresponds to children age 4-9 years of age and Group 2 corresponds to children age 10-15 years of age, Group A corresponds to children who reside with a biological parent and group B corresponds to children who reside with a person other than a biological parent. Higher scores correspond to worse OHRQoL. Independent t-tests were conducted and showed there is no statistically significant difference in children's OHRQoL between the groups, regardless of age. (P > .05)Mean scores for each group were the following: 1A= 5.38, 1B= 6.21, 2A= 7.14, 2B=6.33.

Conclusions: There is no statistically significant difference in children's oral health related quality of life based on relationship to caregiver.