Page 118 - Petelin Ana. Ur. 2022. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of children and adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 118
avje otrok in mladostnikov | health of children and adolescents 118 had difficulties in carrying out schoolwork due to problems with their oral cav-
ity/teeth. Detailed data are presented in Table 3.
Discussion
The results of the analysis show that almost a quarter of children and adoles-
cents experienced at least one symptom or feeling that affected their OHRQoL
occasionally (or more often). Similar results on the prevalence of limitations
have also been found in cross-sectional studies on the impact of oral health
problems on children’s experience of limitations in everyday life (Rozier, 2008;
Nuttall et al., 2003).
More serious limitations, such as difficulties in carrying out daily tasks,
were not as common. Sore gums and sores in the oral cavity were more likely to
occur. The proportion of participants with limitations was higher in the young-
est age group, which can be linked to changes and circumstances in school en-
try and tooth eruption and was also high in the 15–17 age group, where aspects
of growing up and socialization also play a role. Dental dissatisfaction varies by
age according to the developmental characteristics of the children and is differ-
ent in childhood than in adolescence. Feelings of attractiveness in relation to
oral health become more important in late childhood and adolescence (Nuttall
et al., 2003). In adolescence, individuals become more sensitive to social norms
and ideals, and how they are perceived by their peers becomes more important
(Barbosa et al., 2008).
In a survey in the United Kingdom, pain was reported as the most com-
mon limitation across all age groups (15–25% of children reported having pain).
This was consistent with our findings when combining the responses to the
questions on the frequency of toothache and the frequency of sore gums. Some
differences in the frequency of certain limitations in daily life due to oral and/
or dental problems were also observed by gender, as parents of girls/adolescents
were more likely to report the presence of at least one limitation. Results from
the study on the impact of oral health problems in children in the UK did not
confirm significant gender differences in the frequency of limitations due to
oral health problems (Nuttall et al., 2003).
We also observed some differences in the prevalence of limitations in
daily life for children/young people regarding the education of their parents/
guardians. Education is an important determinant of health-related behavior.
While tooth-brushing with regular check-ups at the dentist is an important
part of a healthy lifestyle, taking care of one’s own oral health is one of the most
important factors of oral health and, consequently, also an important factor in
promoting health. With lower levels of education, we can expect poorer oral
health care, as we know that children of parents with lower education are less
likely to brush their teeth, as shown also by the results of our study (Artnik et
al., 2020).
ity/teeth. Detailed data are presented in Table 3.
Discussion
The results of the analysis show that almost a quarter of children and adoles-
cents experienced at least one symptom or feeling that affected their OHRQoL
occasionally (or more often). Similar results on the prevalence of limitations
have also been found in cross-sectional studies on the impact of oral health
problems on children’s experience of limitations in everyday life (Rozier, 2008;
Nuttall et al., 2003).
More serious limitations, such as difficulties in carrying out daily tasks,
were not as common. Sore gums and sores in the oral cavity were more likely to
occur. The proportion of participants with limitations was higher in the young-
est age group, which can be linked to changes and circumstances in school en-
try and tooth eruption and was also high in the 15–17 age group, where aspects
of growing up and socialization also play a role. Dental dissatisfaction varies by
age according to the developmental characteristics of the children and is differ-
ent in childhood than in adolescence. Feelings of attractiveness in relation to
oral health become more important in late childhood and adolescence (Nuttall
et al., 2003). In adolescence, individuals become more sensitive to social norms
and ideals, and how they are perceived by their peers becomes more important
(Barbosa et al., 2008).
In a survey in the United Kingdom, pain was reported as the most com-
mon limitation across all age groups (15–25% of children reported having pain).
This was consistent with our findings when combining the responses to the
questions on the frequency of toothache and the frequency of sore gums. Some
differences in the frequency of certain limitations in daily life due to oral and/
or dental problems were also observed by gender, as parents of girls/adolescents
were more likely to report the presence of at least one limitation. Results from
the study on the impact of oral health problems in children in the UK did not
confirm significant gender differences in the frequency of limitations due to
oral health problems (Nuttall et al., 2003).
We also observed some differences in the prevalence of limitations in
daily life for children/young people regarding the education of their parents/
guardians. Education is an important determinant of health-related behavior.
While tooth-brushing with regular check-ups at the dentist is an important
part of a healthy lifestyle, taking care of one’s own oral health is one of the most
important factors of oral health and, consequently, also an important factor in
promoting health. With lower levels of education, we can expect poorer oral
health care, as we know that children of parents with lower education are less
likely to brush their teeth, as shown also by the results of our study (Artnik et
al., 2020).
