Perceptions of Dutch orthodontic patients and their parents on oral health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE To test the hypotheses that 1) there is no difference between orthodontic patients' and their parents' reports of patients' oral health-related quality of life, and 2) there are no gender differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 182 orthodontic patients (age range, 8-15) and their parents. Respondents were required to complete the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP). Items were divided into five different subscales, and scores on all subscales were compared between and within groups. Also, scores on six additional items regarding treatment expectations and global health perception were compared. Two hypotheses were tested: first, that no differences between parents and patients would be detected, and second, that no differences between boys and girls would be found. RESULTS The first hypothesis could not be rejected. Only a few minor differences between parents and patients were found. The second hypothesis was rejected. Differences between boys and girls were found on the subscales Emotional Well-Being and Peer Interaction, indicating that girls experience more effects of oral health on their quality of life than do boys. CONCLUSIONS Parents' reports on their children's oral health-related qualities of life were in agreement with reports of the orthodontic patients. This suggests that parents are suitable alternatives to their children in surveys measuring oral health-related quality of life.