# Malocclusions in primary teeth and quality of life: perception of preschoolers and their parents/guardians

## TL;DR

This study explores how malocclusions in primary teeth affect the quality of life of preschoolers, as perceived by both children and their parents/guardians.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how specific types of malocclusions impact preschoolers' quality of life based on self-reports and parental reports.

## Key findings

- Edge-to-edge overjet negatively affects physical and social aspects of quality of life according to parents/guardians.
- Posterior crossbite impacts total quality of life and oral health based on children's self-reports.
- Reduced overbite is linked to negative effects on emotional aspects and oral health.

## Abstract

Malocclusions in primary teeth affect chewing, speech, and aesthetics. Few
studies have assessed their impact on preschoolers’ self-reported quality of
life. This study aims to determine the association between malocclusions in
primary teeth and preschoolers’ quality of life based on reports from children
and their parents/guardians. A cross-sectional study was conducted Using a
stratified, simple, randomly probabilistic sample. Based on sample size
estimation, the study included 566 five-year-old preschoolers and their
parents/guardians from Teresina, Brazil. Pediatric Quality of Life
InventoryTM questionnaire and sociodemographic forms were
applied, and clinical examination was performed. The dmft index, modified
developmental defects of enamel, and Foster & Hamilton criteria were used
for diagnosis. Descriptive analysis and Poisson regression were performed (p
< 0.05; 95% CI). Prevalence of malocclusion was 51.2%. Parents/guardians
reported edge-to-edge overjet negatively affected physical capacity (RR = 1.11;
95%CI: 1.02–1.20) and social aspects (RR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.03–1.19). According to
children’s self-reports, posterior crossbite affected the total score (RR =
1.43; 95%CI: 1.03–1.97) and oral health (RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1 .04–1.13), whereas
reduced overbite was linked to negative effects on the emotional aspect (RR =
1.10; 95%CI: 1.01–1.18) and oral health (RR = 1.08; 95%CI: 1.01–1.16).
Malocclusions have a negative impact on the quality of life of preschoolers, as
reported by parents and children.