241 - Impact of Traumatic Dental Injuries on the Quality of Life in Children from 8 -14 years old

Impact of Traumatic Dental Injuries on the Quality of Life in Children from 8 -14 years old 

 Butler C, Shaheem M, Followell T (University of Louisville, Louisville, KY) 

Purpose:  Middle school children affected by traumatic dental injuries (TDI) during the transition to permanent dentition oftentimes do not receive treatment to address aesthetic issues.  TDI can affect quality of life by disfigurement that negatively impacts social relationships.  The purpose of this study is to test if there is an association between TDI and Children Oral Health Quality of Life (COHQoL) among children aged 8-14 years using the Children Perception Questionnaire (CPQ).   We hypothesize that TDI will have negative effects on quality of life in children aged 8-14.  

Methods:   The group of patients studied will be between 8-14 years old who presented for dental treatment at UofL pediatric dental clinic with TDI within one year of injury.  The study will consist of 45 TDI patients and a control group of 45 sex and age matched non-TDI patients.  TDI will be classified using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) for upper and lower. A sample size computed by a biostatistician at confidence interval of 80% is 90 patients for the two groups.  The CPQ, the most comprehensive instrument developed for assessing quality of life, will be administered with guardian consent.   

Results:  We expect TDI patients will have a higher CPQ as compared to those without TDI, indicating TDI negatively impacts COHQol in the 8-14 age group.  

Conclusions:  These results could open the door for clinicians to consider more aesthetic treatment options, such as partial denture, for this 8-14 age group. Future studies with increased sample size could be performed to increase the confidence interval.