Influence of caries and molar incisor hypomineralization on oral health-related quality of life in children.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to compare the impact of caries and molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 528 German children aged 7 to 10 years were recruited, half affected by caries and the other half affected by MIH. Both groups were matched according to age, sex, and social status and divided into 3 categories according to severity. The German version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 8- to 10 years old (CPQ-G8-10) was used to analyze the impact on OHRQoL by applying ANOVA models.

RESULTS: Patients with MIH showed a mean CPQ score of 10.7 (± 9.3). This was significantly higher compared to the caries group with 8.1 (± 9.8). The score increased linearly from the low severity category to the high severity category in both groups (caries, 4.1 to 13.8; MIH, 5.2 to 17.7, respectively).

CONCLUSION: With increasing severity, both clinical conditions showed a greater negative impact on OHRQoL. MIH was associated with more impairments.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Currently, the focus in pediatric dentistry is placed on the prevention and treatment of caries. Both diseases may have a negative influence on OHRQoL. Since children perceive the impairments by MIH as worse and the prevalence is equal to that of caries, which focus might be shifted in the future.