Global Perspectives on Oral Health Related Quality of Life Among Indigenous Populations

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate whether oral health conditions are associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among Indigenous populations globally. METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Embase for studies published from January 2005 to December 2025. Cross-sectional studies assessing OHRQoL among Indigenous populations using validated instruments were included. Eligible tools were Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ11-14), Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS), Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP), and Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP). Risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional studies. Due to methodological heterogeneity, meta-analysis was not feasible; findings were synthesised narratively. RESULTS: Of the 184 records identified, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 109 to 1011 participants. OHIP-14 scores ranged from 14.9 to 30.7 across adult studies, indicating poorer OHRQoL. GOHAI scores among older adults ranged from 10.2 to 53.0 on a 12-60 scale, reflecting variable but often compromised self-perceived oral health and functional limitation. Among children, the mean ECOHIS score was 4.4 ± 5.9, with poorer OHRQoL associated with early childhood caries. Poorer OHRQoL was commonly associated with untreated caries, periodontal disease, poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, lower socioeconomic status, limited education, and restricted access to dental care. CONCLUSION: Compromised OHRQoL among Indigenous populations was associated with oral disease burden, social and behavioural determinants, and limited access to oral healthcare services. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD420251016421).