A Cohort Study on the Impact of Oral Health on the Quality of Life of Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Objectives: This cohort study examines the relationship between quality of life and oral health in adolescents and young adults in the Zagreb area. Methods: The research involved 250 participants aged 14 to 25 from Zagreb. Each participant was examined by an oral medicine doctor using a probe and mirror in a dental unit, and their DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) status was determined. Participants also completed questionnaires on their socio-economic status (SES) and the impact of their oral health on quality of life (OHIP-14, Oral Health Impact Profile). Results: Caries was the most common dental issue among adolescents (2.23 ± 2.58), with restoration being the most frequent treatment (54%). Endodontic treatment and tooth extraction were more prevalent among individuals with lower SES (24.1%), who also had worse DMFT scores (8.09 ± 5.56). Prophylaxis was equally distributed across SES and gender. Male patients had more carious teeth (2.75 ± 3.07) than female patients (1.85 ± 2.08), while female patients scored worse on the OHIP-14 scale (10.97 ± 8.77) compared to males (8.81 ± 8.11). Age positively correlated with both OHIP-14 and DMFT scores. Conclusions: Adolescents and young adults in Zagreb, Croatia, exhibited high DMFT and OHIP-14 scores, reflecting significant oral health issues and reduced quality of life, particularly among older individuals and those with lower SES. The association between invasive treatments (e.g., endodontic procedures and extractions) and diminished quality of life underscores the necessity for early preventive measures, including regular dental check-ups and targeted oral health education.

Keywords: DMFT; adolescents; oral health; quality of life; young adults.