CORRELATION BETWEEN NUMBER OF MISSING TEETH AND ORAL HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objectives: To determine correlation between number of missing teeth and Oral Health Related Quality of Life.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the department of Prosthodontic, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. A non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. A total of 177 partially edentulous patients were selected following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using the method of interview. General Oral Health Assessment Index questionnaire was used as a tool for measurement of Oral Health Related Quality of Life. Number of missing teeth was determined through intra-oral examination. Pearson’s correlation and Linear Regression analysis was used to determine correlation and strength of association between number of missing teeth and General Oral Health Assessment Index score. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of 177 patients 49.7% were males and 50.3% were females. Means age of the patients was 35.8 (± 5.83). Average General Oral Health Assessment Index score for Oral Health Related Quality of Life was 47.82. Number of missing teeth was strongly related negatively with General Oral Health Assessment Index score, r= −0.53, p=<0.001. Linear regression analysis showed beta coefficient of −1.02 [CI = 95% (−1.24 to −0.79)].Conclusion: Increase in number of missing teeth was strongly correlated negatively with Oral Health related Quality of life.