Impact of primary dentition malocclusion on the oral health-related quality of life in preschoolers

Abstract Background Malocclusion is a condition frequently seen in primary dentition due to the interaction of environmental, genetic and behavioural factors. The occurrence of some types of malocclusions can have an impact on oral health-related quality of life in children. Hence, the present study aimed to verify the impact of primary dentition malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life in preschool children. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Florianopolis, Brazil, with a representative sample of 1050 preschoolers aged between 2 and 5 years, randomly selected. Parents answered the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and also to a questionnaire on socio-economic indicators. Data obtained from the questionnaire were obtained by item response theory based on model of gradual response. The malocclusion assessed was: anterior open bite, increased overjet and posterior crossbite. Poisson regression model was employed for multivariate analysis (P