# Edentulism and quality of life in the Salvadoran population: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study examines how tooth loss affects the quality of life in El Salvador, finding that it significantly impacts eating, speaking, and social interactions, especially in older adults and women.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the relationship between edentulism and quality of life in the Salvadoran population.

## Key findings

- Complete edentulism had significant impacts on eating, speaking, and socializing.
- Women and older adults reported more severe impacts on quality of life due to tooth loss.
- People with lower education levels were more affected by edentulism.

## Abstract

Edentulism is the partial or total loss of teeth, it is irreversible and disabling due to its sequelae in the masticatory, phonetic and aesthetic function that affect the quality of life.

To establish the impact of edentulism and sociodemographic factors on the quality of life of the Salvadoran population.

Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data in 3322 users of the Public Health System of El Salvador, aged 15 to > 60 years. The variables under study were sociodemographic, edentulismo and quality of life. Edentulism was determined by clinical examination using the Oral Impact on Daily Performance scale. The statistical analysis was performed using χ2, OR, multiple regression analysis and set the significance threshold at p < 0.05.

Partial edentulism in the upper jaw was present in 68.24% people, partial edentulism in the lower jaw was present in 72.42% people and complete edentulism was observed in 2.02% people. There were significant sex differences and a relationship between sex and quality of life (p < 0.004); the self-perception of severe/very severe impacts was greater in women. People without education or with primary or secondary education only were the most affected (p < 0.05). Tooth loss increases with age, affecting quality of life in a severe/very severe manner. Complete edentulism had greater impacts on quality of life in terms of eating (25.64%), speaking (21.15%), and socializing/enjoying contact with people (10.90%). A severe/very severe impact on quality of life of teeth lost was reported mainly by those over 60 years of age, with an average of 11 missing posterior teeth, 6 missing anterior teeth and 13 missing teeth per patient. Those missing up to 6 anterior teeth were times more likely to perceive severe/very severe impacts on quality of life than those without any missing teeth (OR:5.788). Edentulism affected the quality of life of those examined, especially the loss of upper anterior teeth.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-024-04581-3.