Assessment of the Quality of Life Related to Oral Health (OHRQOL) of 3-6-Year-Old Children Suffering from Congenital Heart Disease in Kerman, Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Oral and Dental Diseases Research Centre ,Kerman University of Medical sciences,Kerman,Iran

2 Dentist, Private Practice, Kerman, Iran

3 Oral and Dental Diseases Research Centre, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) generally experience poorer overall health. This study aimed to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) of children aged 3 to 6 years old with CHD in Kerman province.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study included 254 children (127 healthy controls and 127 children with CHD). Data were collected by recruiting the Persian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (F-ECOHISS). The questionnaire assesses how oral health affects the daily routines of both children and their families. A higher score means a greater negative impact, more dental problems, and a lower OHRQOL. A clinical oral examination was also performed, and the DMFT index was recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 through t-tests, Chi-squared tests, and linear regression, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The mean OHRQOL score was 9.77 among healthy children versus 15.50 among the CHD group (P = 0.001). The mean DMFT index was 4.50 in the CHD group and 2.37 in the healthy group (P = 0.0001). Older age was significantly associated with poorer OHRQOL in both groups (P = 0.0001). Higher paternal education level was significantly linked to worse OHRQOL only in the CHD group (P = 0.011). Among affected children, the non‑cyanotic subgroup showed a significantly higher DMFT than the cyanotic subgroup (P = 0.005).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that children with CHD have significantly lower OHRQOL and a higher DMFT index compared to healthy peers. These findings highlight the need for targeted oral health intervention programs for children with CHD.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology
Volume 15
Pages 1-4

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 12 July 2026

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