| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed to determine whether fixed orthodontic treatment impacts on the oral healthrelated
quality of life (OHRQoL) in adolescents aged 11-16 years. Oral health determinants, as
well as demographic and psychosocial factors, may have an impact on oral health-related quality
of life.
This study explored whether sociodemographic and clinical factors impacted the emotional and
social well-being of participants and whether these participants experienced any functional
limitation at the start of treatment (T0) and 6-8 months later (T1).
Materials and methodology: A prospective study design was applied, within the orthodontic
clinics at Mitchell’s Plain and Tygerberg Oral Health Centre’s. A cohort of eighty-three
adolescent participants receiving fixed orthodontic treatment was evaluated for oral health –
related quality of life. All participants completed a set of validated questionnaires at baseline
(T0), and then 6-8 months later (T1). Questionnaires included the Orthodontic Oral Health-
Related Quality of Life Survey (OQoLAS₁₁₋₁₄) and a socioeconomic status (SES). The
OQoLAS₁₁₋₁₄ measured the social, emotional and functional domains and the SES assessed the
sociodemographic characteristics of participants’ and their caregiver; age, sex, educational level,
employment status and combined household income. In addition, the clinical assessment was
done using the Dental Aesthetics Index (DAI) score card, in order to assess the complexity of
malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need. | en_US |
