Oral Health-Related Quality of Life In The Initial Phase of Orthodontic Treatment in a Tanzanian Population

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among patients during first month of orthodontic treatment in Tanzania. Materials and Methods: The study involved 178 patients seeking orthodontic treatment at the MUHAS Dental Clinic. Participants aged 12 - 40 years were conveniently selected and followed up for one month after orthodontic treatment. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire was used to collect data on OHRQoL. Descriptive and bivariate analyses used Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and McNemar tests. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of OHRQoL. Results: Nearly all participants (95.5%) experienced pain during orthodontic treatment. Physical pain, such as "painful aching" and "uncomfortable eating," worsened one-month post-treatment (p<0.01). Participants aged 20-39 reported a greater impact on quality of life, reflected by higher OHIP-14 scores. Social disability improved, with fewer reports of irritability and difficulties in daily tasks (p<0.05). Pain was a single independent factor significantly associated with OHRQoL changes in this study, where higher pain scores were significantly associated with worse quality of life reported (aOR=1.21; 95%CI: 1.066, 1.373); p=0.003). Conclusion: Most participants experienced increased physical discomfort, including pain and difficulties with eating, during the first month of fixed orthodontic treatment. Older patients had significantly higher OHIP-14 scores. Our findings underscore the need for focused pain management and psychosocial support during early treatment. We recommend providing comprehensive support to address physical and psychological challenges to optimize patient experience and outcomes during orthodontic care.

Keywords

• Oral health related quality of life
• Orthodontics treatment
• Tanzania

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