• L Scott Chavers, Gregg H Gilbert, and Brent J Shelton.
• Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. lsc27543@gsk.com
• Qual Life Res. 2004 Feb 1; 13 (1): 111-23.

UnlabelledFew studies have investigated the relation between oral health-related quality of life (HRQL) and key demographic, socioeconomic, and oral health decrements.MethodsData were taken from 873 participants from the Florida Dental Care Study. Chronic oral disadvantage was defined from incident oral disadvantage, a measure of oral HRQL, reported for a minimum of two consecutive 6-month intervals. Patterns of chronic oral disadvantage over the 24-month period were described. Associations between the dependent variable, chronic oral disadvantage, and demographic variables, socioeconomic variables, oral health decrements, and dental services were evaluated.ResultsDuring 24 months of follow-up, 30% of subjects reported chronic oral disadvantage. Chronic oral disadvantage was significantly associated with approach to dental care, area of residence, situation if faced with an unexpected dollars 500 dental bill, teeth that are stained or look bad, cavities, sore or infected gums, loose tooth or cap, toothache or abscess, dental sensitivity, and chewing difficulty. A recent dental visit was associated with reduced progression to chronic oral disadvantage.ConclusionA large proportion of subjects avoided certain daily activities due to oral health decrements for longer than 6 months. Recent dental visits were significantly associated with limitation of long-term progression of oral disadvantage.

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