The association between the anterior cross bite and the oral health related quality of life of adolescents in Damascus.

Abstract

Background & Aim: To evaluate the association between the anterior cross bite and the oral health related quality of life in adolescents living in Damascus.

Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 186 children with ages ranging between 12-14 years, average of age (13.2± 0.7).   They were divided according to their occlusal relationship into two groups: - the 1st group included 92 children with anterior cross bite, - the 2nd group consisted of 94 children with normal occlusion.

All children undertook the oral health related quality of life questionnaire - short version (OHIP- Oral Health Impact Profile). The mean and standard deviation of the questionnaire’s results were calculated for each group and they were assessed for statistical significance using the unpaired T- student test. A P- value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The results revealed significant differences between the two groups in each of the following variables: - the oral hygiene status, the functional status, the social emotional status in relation to self-esteem, and the overall outcome of the questionnaire.

Conclusion: The anterior cross bite can affect on the adolescents’ mental health.