Oral health-related quality of life—the concept, its assessment and relevance in dental research and education

Abstract

The relevance of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has undergone a quantum shift since the beginning of the 21st century. It was once regarded as a secondary outcome that was occasionally useful to competent biological and clinical markers of disease. However, QOL issues are now at the forefront of the public health policy. As oral health is related to general health and well being of an individual, assessment of effect of oral diseases on the QOL of an individual or population is of utmost importance in forming a public health policy for a country. India being the second populous country in the world, it has unique health problems for which solutions are way beyond the health services available. Therefore, emphasis should be on preventive and promotive care. The assessment of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) of a community is required to formulate a patient centric and culturally acceptable oral health policy. Dental education also needs to be refocused to incorporate OHRQOL in the curriculum. Various measures for the assessment of OHRQOL are available and have been published. This paper discusses these tools of measuring OHRQOL, their advantages, limitations, and suggestions for future research in this area.