Oral health status and qualityof life in pregnant chilean and peruvian immigrants women

Abstract

Objective. Compare the Oral Health status and related quality of life in pregnant Chilean and Peruvian immigrant women, in a Chilean district of high Peruvian concentration. Material and methods. An analytical transversal study was carried out on a sample of 58 Chilean and 50 Peruvian immigrant women under pregnancy control. Their oral health status was measured applying the Caries (DMF), Oral Hygiene (OHI), and the Gingival (GI) indexes, and the Quality of Life using the Chilean validated version of the OHIPsp questionnaire. Student t and Pearson r tests were used to assess differences in Oral Health status and association between clinical variables and Quality of Life (p<0.05). Results. A DMF of 10,2 was found without significative differences between groups, with more missing teeth in the Peruvian group (P< 0.05) and more filled ones Chilean (P< 0.05). Both the (OHI) and the (GI) indexes were better in the Chilean group (P<0.05). The Quality of Life Perception showed no significative differences between groups. Approximately 30% perceived a bad Quality of Life related to Oral Health, about 60% perceived that their dental problems had caused them social disabilities and handicap. Correlation of the OHIP sp and the clinical indexes showed significative and direct only with the Chilean DMF (rho=0.358; p<0.05). Conclusion: Regardless of their poor oral health status both groups did not perceive a great influence on their Quality of Life, pointing out the necessity of diagnosing the oral health behaviors determinants before implementing any health education action.