Quality of life instruments and their role in orthodontics

Daniela FEU, Cátia Cardoso Abdo QUINTÃO, José Augusto Mendes MIGUEL

Objective: The purpose of this study was to survey reliable information about quality of life as it relates to oral health in the literature, allowing clinicians to access and understand its influence on the process of finding and treating their patients. Methods: The MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO and Cochrane Controlled Trials electronic databases were researched between 1980 and 2010 and 158 studies were found that discuss quality of life related to oral health. Results: Thirty studies were selected: two prospective longitudinal studies, two systematic reviews, five casecontrol studies, twelve epidemiological studies, five cross-sectional studies and three reviews of literature, in addition to the Statement of the World Health Organization (WHO). The selection was based on the goal of describing the indicators of quality of life and the methodology used in the studies. Conclusions: The use of quality of life indicators in dental research and clinical orthodontics are extremely important and helpful in diagnosis and planning but do not replace standard indexes and should be used in a strictly complementary manner.

Keywords: Quality of Life. Orthodontics. Malocclusions.

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