Does the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire Measure Dental Appearance?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a need to develop a new questionnaire measuring dental appearance or if this is already covered by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49). Materials and Methods: Based on internationally accepted guidelines about dental esthetics, a questionnaire was developed to measure dental appearance (QDA). Eleven items defined a QDA sum score (0 = absolutely satisfied, 44 = absolutely dissatisfied). Furthermore, oral health-related quality of life was evaluated using the German version of the OHIP-49 and the OHIP-esthetic. Thirty patients (14 women, 16 men; mean age 59 ± 10 years) were included in the study. All patients received a complete oral rehabilitation including the anterior teeth of the maxilla. Questionnaires were completed before and after treatment. Results: The median values were 16 and 1.5 for the QDA sum score, 46 and 16 for the OHIP sum score, and 14.5 and 2 for the OHIP-esthetic before and after rehabilitation, respectively. The improvement after treatment was significant for all questionnaires (P £ .0001). Between the QDA sum score and the OHIP sum score or any of the OHIP subscales (the only exception being "psychological discomfort"), no significant correlation could be found (P > .05). Between the QDA sum score and the OHIP-esthetic, a significant correlation could be found before treatment (r = 0.505, P = .004) but not after treatment (P > .05). Conclusions: If the OHIP-49 is used in clinical studies and a profound evaluation of dental appearance is desired, it is reasonable to use an additional esthetic modulus.