Oral health‐related quality of life and sense of coherence regarding the use of dental services by preschool children

Background There is a need for studies on the biopsychosocial factors that influence the use of dental services by preschoolers. Aim To evaluate the influence of the perceptions of parents/caretakers and children regarding oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as the sense of coherence (SOC) of parents/caretakers on the use of dental services among Brazilian preschoolers. Design A school‐based, cross‐sectional study was conducted with 768 preschoolers. Parents/caretakers answered a questionnaire addressing socio‐demographic characteristics. The OHRQoL of the children was measured using the Scale of Oral Health Outcomes for Five‐Year‐Old Children. SOC among the parents/caretakers was evaluated using the Sense of Coherence scale. Clinical examinations were performed by examiners who had previously undergone a training exercise. Descriptive analysis was conducted, followed by Poisson's regression analysis (α = 5%). Results A total of 56.5% of the preschoolers had never used dental services. The following variables exerted a significant influence on the use of services: higher monthly household income (PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.07–1.51), toothache (PR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.34–1.89), the absence of traumatic dental injury (TDI; PR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.01–1.40), and a strong SOC (PR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01–1.42). Conclusions A higher monthly household income, history of toothache, the absence of TDI, and strong SOC of the parents/caretakers influence the use of dental services by preschoolers.