# The impact of pulp disease on oral health-related quality of life in children aged 6 to 10 years

## TL;DR

This study finds that nearly 30% of children aged 6 to 10 have pulp disease, which significantly affects their oral health-related quality of life.

## Contribution

The study highlights pulp exposure as a significant but often overlooked factor affecting children's oral health quality of life.

## Key findings

- 28.2% of children aged 6 to 10 had at least one pulp-exposed tooth.
- Pulp exposure was linked to lower oral health-related quality of life, especially in emotional, social, and functional aspects.

## Abstract

To investigate the prevalence of pulp involvement and its impact on the quality of life of children aged 6 to 10 years.

Cross-sectional study with 363 schoolchildren. Were applied to children the “Child Perceptions Questionnaire” (CPQ 8–10), which assesses the impact of oral health on quality of life (OHRQoL). Oral clinical examinations were performed on the children to detect exposure of the dental pulp.

Of the 363 children, 73 (28.2%) had at least one pulp-exposed tooth. There was an association between lower maternal schooling and the impact on OHRQoL, both for maternal schooling from 9 to 11 years of schooling (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.00-1.51; p = 0.045) and for 8 years or less of schooling (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.00-1.59; p = 0.045), compared to 12 years or more of maternal schooling. Children with pulp exposure were associated with an impact on OHRQoL model adjustment (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.22–1.81; p < 0.001).

The prevalence of pulp involvement in children aged 6 to 10 years was 28.2%. Children with pulp involvement had a worse perception of quality of life related to oral health, with an impact on emotional, social, and functional aspects, as well as limitations caused by oral problems.

Epidemiological studies commonly address data on caries experience using the classic DMFT/dmft index, which records data on the average number of decayed, missing and filled teeth, but does not provide information on dental pulp exposure, which many It can sometimes have harmful consequences and can impact the quality of life related to oral health in children.