135 - Oral health related quality of life in preschool children treated with Nasoalveolar molding (NAM)

Friday, May 26, 2023

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Location: Exhibit Hall

Has Audio

Presenting Author(s)

Spencer Laufer, DMD

PGY-2
The University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Program Director(s)

Cristina Perez, DMD

Assistant Professor Division of Pediatric Dentisty
University of Kentucky College of Dentistry
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Background: Cleft lip and palate is among the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies that can affect facial appearance and oral function. Nasoalveolar molding (NAM), a type of presurgical orthopedic device, was designed to reduce the severity of the cleft lip/nasal deformity by aligning the lip, alveolar segments, and palate. NAM provides many benefits for cleft lip and palate patients including esthetic, functional, economic and psychological outcomes. This treatment option can positively impact the development of the primary and permanent dentition especially those in relation to the cleft.

Aim: To utilize Child Oral Health Impact Profile – Pre-school version (COHIP-PS) instrument to evaluate children with cleft lip and/or palate with history of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and age/gender matched controls without cleft lip and palate representing a community sample, to compare their health-related quality of life.

MATERIALS AND

Methods: The study population consists of normal health (ASA 1) preschool aged children (2-5 years of age), female/male and their guardian(s), that received NAM treatment at the University of Kentucky Pediatric Dental Clinic located in Lexington, KY and age/gender matched controls without cleft lip and palate. Parents/Legal Guardian complete the COHIP-PS, a 10-point questionnaire. All participants must be ASA 1, with a history of isolated cleft palate with and/or lip do not have a syndrome associated. A Chi Square analysis and Fisher’s Exact analysis to compare data.

Results: The overall dataset summary consisted of 30 preschool aged patients from ages 2 to 5 years old, 10 NAM (33%) and 20 non-NAM (66%) age/gender matched. Table 1 summarizes respondents characteristics. Most respondents (n equals 21) were male, consistent with male predilection for CLP. An interesting finding was how similar the reported functional well being and self image categories (Figure 3) between the two groups, as function and esthetics are two concerns for CLP patients and their parents. The data supports the positive benefit and outcomes related to NAM.

Conclusions: The results showed similar oral health related quality of life between CLP patients with history of NAM and age/gender match controls. This can support the positive benefits of NAM in relation to oral health, functional well being, social-emotional well being and self image of children with CLP.