Dental services effectiveness

Introduction: Sociodental indicators were developed to capture perceptions and feelings about one’s oral health. Subjective indicators utilization have been useful in epidemiological studies. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dental treatment in reducing impact caused by dental problems in quality of life. Methods: Longitudinal design population research measuring a hundred individuals' oral impact with OHIP14 before and after dental treatment. There was used four standardized  interview questionnaires to collect sociodemographic data, dental situation, prosthesis perceived need, dental services utilization, and for last, the subjective indicator Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP14), tested and adapted to the Brazilian culture environment and language.  Results: Subjects aged over 40, from socioeconomic status (SES) D and E, who made urgency dental visits and declared prosthesis need, had more impact caused by oral conditions. Logistic regression results showed SES, and prosthesis need as the most impact predictors. There was observed a significant difference between impact levels measured by OHIP scores before and after dental treatment. Conclusion: Dental treatment effectiveness was observed with impact reduction in those participants who had dental treatment concluded, resulting in life quality improvement.
Keywords: Quality of life; OHIP; Oral health.