Impact of tooth loss in quality of life/Impacto da perda dentaria na qualidade de vida

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva 2010-05, Vol.74 (5), p.841
• Main Authors: de Souza e Silva, Maria Elisa, Villaca, Enio Lacerda, de Magalhaes, Claudia Silami, Ferreira e Ferreira, Efigenia
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 1413-8123

In order to evaluate the impact of tooth loss in patient's quality of life, 50 volunteers were selected among patients who use the Public Health Services in treatment for their complete denture's placement or replacement. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and a socio-demographic data collection were applied before treatment. The values were founded through the weight of each question in association with Likert's Scale. As higher was the score, higher was the impact in the quality of life. In this survey 82% were female, 52% of patients between 41 and 60 years old (average: 59.1), and 34% married. The higher values of OHIP-14 dimensions in patient's quality of life were: Psychological Discomfort (122), Physical Pain (121), Psychological Disability (113), Physical Disability (109), Functional Limitation (93), Handicap (82) and Social Disability (76). As it could be observed, the lost of teeth or the use of inadequate prosthesis could bring negative impacts in life's quality, especially regarding preoccupation, stress with mouth problems and shame, although people perceive minor impacts in social relationships and development of their daily activities. This information can be relevant to prepare dentists to raise their knowledge about edentulous people and how to work with them. Key words Quality of Life, Tooth loss, Impact Para avaliar o impacto da perda dentaria na qualidade de vida, foram selecionados cinquenta pacientes, usuarios do Servico Publico de Saude, em tratamento para insercao ou substituicao do par de dentaduras. Antes do tratamento, aplicou-se o Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) e a coleta de dados sociodemograficos. Os escores do OHIP-14 foram obtidos por meio do peso de cada pergunta associado a escala de Likert. Maior a pontuacao alcancada, maior o impacto negativo da dimensao na qualidade de vida. Na amostra, 82% eram do genero feminino, 52% tinham 41 a 60 anos (media de 59,1 anos), e 34% eram casados. Para cada dimensao, os valores maximos OHIP-14 foram: desconforto psicologico (122); dor (121); inabilidade psicologica (113); inabilidade fisica (109); limitacao funcional (93); incapacidade (82) e inabilidade social (76). A perda dentaria ou o uso de proteses inadequadas implicam impactos negativos na qualidade de vida, especialmente no que se refere a preocupacao, estresse decorrente de problemas na boca e a vergonha. Foi percebido menor impacto no que se refere as relacoes interpessoais e ao desenvolvimento das atividades rotine