Impacts of childhood malocclusion on the family

Purpose To analyze the effects of children’s malocclusions and associated quality of life on family relationships by evaluating psychometric characteristics of the Family Impact Scale (FIS) in adolescents seeking orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods Included were 334 participants (children aged 11–14 years; 53% female and 47% male) and their parents (84% mothers, 16% fathers) who were recruited at two dental clinics in Croatia. The Child Perception Questionnaire, Parental-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire, and FIS were administered. Malocclusion severity was estimated using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need Dental Health Component. The presence of caries was also recorded. Factor analysis, t‑test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results Unidimensional FIS measuring global family impacts had higher internal consistency (α = 0.73–0.81) compared to the specific dimensions of family impacts (α = 0.60–0.69). Global family impacts were higher in children with more severe malocclusions and existing dental caries, primarily influencing parental activity, and parental emotions dimensions ( p