ABSTRACT Objective:

To assess the association between dental caries experience, severe dental caries experience and socioeconomic determinants on oral health-related quality of life among children and their families.

Material and Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study whose sample was composed of children aged 4-12 years, who sought dental care in a dentistry school clinic, and their parents/caregivers. Dental caries experience and severe dental caries experience were assessed according to the DMF-T/dmf-t indexes. Parents/caregivers answered the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ), the Family Impact Scale (FIS) and a questionnaire on socioeconomic and demographic conditions. Data analysis included the chi-square test and Poisson regression (PR).

Results:

The sample was composed of 105 children and their parents/caregivers. Severe dental caries experience in children was determinant for negative perception of children's OHRQoL by parents/caregivers (PR = 1.22; CI = 1.05-1.41). Negative impact on OHRQoL perceived by family members was determined by severe dental caries experience in children (PR = 1.22; CI = 1.05-1.42) and family income <5 minimum wage (PR = 1.32; CI = 1.08-1.61).

Conclusion:

Severe dental caries experience was associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL perceived by children and their families. Low family income was associated with a negative impact on the OHRQoL perceived by children and their families.