Incisor Molar Hypomineralization and Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study with Brazilian Schoolchildren

Aim. To assess the impact of incisor molar hypomineralization (MIH) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) according to the perception of students and their parents/caregivers. Materials and Methods. This is a cross-sectional population-based study with 463 Brazilian students aged 11–14 years. OHRQoL was measured using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (B-CPQ11-14ISF: 16) applied to students and the short version of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (B-P-CPQ) applied to parents/caregivers. The diagnosis of MIH followed the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria modified in 2019. Caries experience (ICDAS II), malocclusion (DAI), and socioeconomic and demographic factors were assessed as confounding factors for impact on OHRQoL. Cluster analysis was carried out to dichotomize the negative impact into greater and lesser impact. The chi-square test and Poisson regression were performed ( p < 0.05 ) to verify associations between quality of life and MIH, adjusted for confounding variables. Results. The prevalence of MIH was 10.8%. Multivariate regression demonstrated that caries experience was the only oral disease that impacted OHRQoL according to students’ self-perception in the functional limitation domain (PR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.20–2.77) and in the total questionnaire score (PR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.00–2.51). However, according to the perception of parents/caregivers, in addition to caries experience, which affected OHRQoL in the oral symptoms (PR = 3.57; 95% CI = 1.71–7.414) and emotional well-being domains (PR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.08–2.69), as well as in the total B-P-CPQ score (PR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.01–2.76), malocclusion also affected OHRQoL in the social well-being domain (PR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.07–2.10) and in the total questionnaire score (PR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.11–2.15). Conclusion. According to students and their parents/caregivers’ perception, incisor molar hypomineralization did not influence OHRQoL of the studied sample.