Dental and Orofacial Trauma Impacts on Oral-Health-Related—Quality of Life in Children: Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Orofacial trauma including traumatic dental injuries is a public health problem and has the potential to adversely affect the quality of life in children. These injuries include hard and soft tissue. Quality of life is impacted when the health and oral health of the children and their parents and family are affected. Oral health includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, chew, swallow, and convey emotions through facial expressions with confidence. Poor oral health conditions include dental injuries from trauma, result in pain, soreness, discomfort, and embarrassment during routine daily activities. Traumatic dental injuries contribute to the aesthetic, functional, psychological, social, and economic distress lowering self-image and negatively impacting the quality of life among children, and their families in both developed and low- and middle-income countries. It is important to appreciate the impacts of dental trauma on children and their families more so in areas of low income as these areas have a higher propensity of above average oral-related quality of life impacts. Necessary dental management and treatment should be performed as soon as possible consequent to injury to relieve pain and discomfort, restore function, uplift appearance, and self-esteem, and enhance social well-being. This holistic management approach will improve treatment outcomes and ultimately enhance the quality-of-life post-dental injury.