Use of Dental Services and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Preschool Children
Dental services and quality of life in preeschool children
Article Sidebar
Quality of life,
Preschool,
Dental services
Main Article Content
Keila Lais Carrera da Hora
Tatiana Frederico Almeida
Maria Cristina Teixeira Cangussu
Abstract
Background: Oral health issues, particularly cavities, significantly impact children's eating, sleeping, speech, and overall well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these problems by increasing disparities in access to dental care.
Aims: To analyse the use of dental services and their impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children in Salvador, identifying associated factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 523 children aged 26 to 80 months enrolled in municipal public daycare centres in Salvador, BA. Oral health assessments and a caregiver questionnaire were used to collect sociodemographic data, dietary and oral health habits, and dental service use. OHRQoL was assessed using the B-ECOHIS. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed using linear regression at the 95% significance level.
Results: The prevalence of caries was 41.87%, and the use of dental services during the pandemic was low (13.58%). Age, family income, dental caries, and fear/anxiety were significantly associated with the B-ECOHIS, highlighting inequalities in access to services and in children's oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). There was no association between dental service use and OHRQoL.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic reduced preschoolers’ use of dental services, worsening OHRQoL and highlighting social inequalities and the need for equitable preventive oral health care.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Keila Lais Carrera da Hora, Tatiana Frederico Almeida, Maria Cristina Teixeira Cangussu
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