195 - Oral Health–Related Quality of Life After Pediatric Dental Rehabilitation

Purpose: Pediatric patients requiring comprehensive dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) often present with severe dental disease that negatively impacts their physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being, as well as that of their caregivers. Oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a critical outcome measure for assessing the broader effects of dental treatment beyond clinical indicators. However, data evaluating changes in OHRQoL among pediatric patients in Puerto Rico following treatment under GA are limited. This study aims to assess changes in OHRQoL among pediatric patients living in Puerto Rico who undergo comprehensive dental treatment under GA at University of Puerto Rico–affiliated hospitals.

Methods: This prospective cohort study includes pediatric patients aged 2–21 years and their parents or caregivers who receive comprehensive dental rehabilitation under GA at Hospital Pediátrico Universitario and Hospital Municipal de San Juan. OHRQoL is assessed using validated Spanish-language instruments: the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) for children aged 2–5 years and the Child Oral Health Impact Profile–Short Form 19 (COHIP-SF-19) for patients aged 6–21 years. Questionnaires are administered at baseline and at a two-week postoperative follow-up. Pre- and post-treatment OHRQoL scores are compared using paired statistical analyses, with adjustment for relevant confounding variables when appropriate.

Results: AA total of 18 participants completed the ECOHIS assessment and 17 completed the COHIP-SF. For ECOHIS, the mean total score slightly decreased from 11.72 (SD = 14.15; IQR = 25 [Q1–Q3]) preoperatively to 11.11 (SD = 13.22; IQR = 25 [Q1–Q3]) postoperatively, while the median remained at 0 for both time points. Score distribution analysis showed that 22.2% of participants experienced improvement (post .05).
For COHIP-SF, the mean score showed minimal change from 21.12 (SD = 21.37; IQR = 28 [Q1–Q3]) preoperatively to 21.00 (SD = 21.06; IQR = 28 [Q1–Q3]) postoperatively, with a stable median of 25 at both time points. Most participants (82.4%) demonstrated no change, while 11.8% showed improvement (post