Oral Health Impact Profile in adult Polish population.

Background: Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a significant patient-oriented outcome which should be considered in diagnostic, decision making and therapeutic process by dentists.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of a condition of teeth, oral mucosa and dentures on the OHRQoL among patients seeking dental treatment in the University Dental Clinic (UDC) in Kraków, Poland.

Material and methods: 250 patients took part in a cross-sectional study conducted in the UDC in Kraków. Collected clinical data included: oral mucosa and periodontal condition, number of Decayed, Missed and Filled Teeth (DMFT index), presence of dentures. Questionnaire part of the study has been based on OHIP-14 questionnaire.

Results: The condition of teeth worsened OHRQoL in following groups of patients: first-time visitors, smokers, with periodontal diseases and without oral mucosal diseases. There was a positive significant correlation between number of decayed teeth and OHRQoL related to teeth. The condition of oral mucosa significantly impaired OHRQoL in: women, patients with oral mucosal diseases and those who undergone prosthetic treatment in the last year. There was a correlation between number of missing teeth, DMFT index, age and subscale 2 of the form. The condition of dentures significantly impaired the OHRQoL in patients: who used removable dental prostheses, undergone prosthetic treatment in the last year and females. There was a positive correlation between subscale 3 of the questionnaire and number of missing teeth and DMFT index and a negative correlation with number of filled teeth within this subscale.

Conclusions: Evaluation of patient's OHRQoL is one of important components for successful dental treatment.