[Impact of tooth loss in quality of life]. / Impacto da perda dentária na qualidade de vida.

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.

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

Para avaliar o impacto da perda dentária na qualidade de vida, foram selecionados cinquenta pacientes, usuários do Serviço Público de Saúde, em tratamento para inserção ou substituição do par de dentaduras. Antes do tratamento, aplicou-se o Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) e a coleta de dados sociodemográficos. Os escores do OHIP-14 foram obtidos por meio do peso de cada pergunta associado à escala de Likert. Maior a pontuação alcançada, maior o impacto negativo da dimensão na qualidade de vida. Na amostra, 82 por cento eram do gênero feminino, 52 por cento tinham 41 a 60 anos (média de 59,1 anos), e 34 por cento eram casados. Para cada dimensão, os valores máximos OHIP-14 foram: desconforto psicológico (122); dor (121); inabilidade psicológica (113); inabilidade física (109); limitação funcional (93); incapacidade (82) e inabilidade social (76). A perda dentária ou o uso de próteses inadequadas implicam impactos negativos na qualidade de vida, especialmente no que se refere à preocupação, estresse decorrente de problemas na boca e à vergonha. Foi percebido menor impacto no que se refere às relações interpessoais e ao desenvolvimento das atividades rotineiras - dimensão inabilidade social. Estas informações são relevantes para os profissionais, pois ampliam seu conhecimento sobre pessoas desdentadas e melhoram sua capacidade de lidar com elas.

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 percent were female, 52 percent of patients between 41 and 60 years old (average: 59.1), and 34 percent 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.