To assess the impact of children’s dental health status (DHS) on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Participants were 11- and 12-year-old children attending public schools in the Kuwait Capital Region. Children’s DHS was evaluated by clinical examinations and presented using decayed, missed, filled teeth/surface (DMFT/dmft, DMFS/dmfs); restorative (RI), plaque (PI); and pulp, ulcers, fistula, abscess (PUFA) indices. Children’s OHRQoL was assessed using Child’s Perception Questionnaire 11–14 (CPQ11–14). Means (SD) and frequencies were used for data description. Different factors were analyzed as predictors of OHRQoL by logistic regression analysis. A total of 440 children aged 11–12 years (50.7 % females) participated in this cross-sectional study. Mean (SD) DMFT/dmft, RI, PI, and PUFA scores were 2.91(2.75), 0.21 (0.34), 3.59 (1.63), 0.31 (0.85), respectively. The mean total CPQ11–14 was 20.72 (16.81). Mean scores of oral-symptoms, functional-limitations, emotional and social well-being were 4.26 (3.32), 5.40 (4.92), 5.48 (6.15), and 5.33 (6.05), respectively. Children with more than four fillings were 95 % less likely to have had oral symptoms than those with no fillings. Children with a DMFT/dmft of 2–3 were 2.8 times more likely to have functional limitation than those with a DMFT/dmft of 0, while children with a DMFT/dmft of more than 4 were 4.4 times more likely to experience limitations. Having two or three non-cavitated lesions reduced the odds of having functional-limitation by 58 %. Children with more than four missing teeth were 45 % more likely to experience emotional stress. Having more than four fissure sealants reduced the odds of having emotional stress by 46 %. The increase in the number of carious teeth was associated with a limitation in oral functions. Preventive treatment had a positive impact on children’s emotional well-being and restorative treatments improved their oral function.

Background: The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate factors affecting utilization of dental services during pregnancy.Methods: Participants in this cross‐sectional study were mothers visiting a community health center for their infants’/toddlers’ immunization. Data were collected through a questionnaire about demographics, oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices, as well as barriers to dental visits during pregnancy. Mean (SD) and frequencies were used for data description. Different factors were analyzed as predictors for utilization of dental services using multiple logistic regression analysis.Results: In total, 423 mothers completed the study. Mean (SD) age at delivery was 29.5 (5.3) years. Almost all participants brushed their teeth at least once daily with toothpaste. During pregnancy, 19.2% of mothers reported difficulties with brushing, and 25% had dental/periodontal problems. Half of the participants had a dental visit during pregnancy; 93% were for dental checkups, 80.5% received preventive care, and 28.8% received dental/periodontal treatments. Canadian‐born women were 48% more likely to visit the dentist during pregnancy compared with non‐Canadian counterparts (P = 0.048). Level of education, dental insurance, and household income were also positively associated with usage (P <0.001). Mothers with more knowledge about possible connections between oral health and pregnancy and those who visited the dentist every 6 months had better odds of visiting the dentist during pregnancy (P <0.001).Conclusion: Three major factors predicting the utilization of dental services during pregnancy were: 1) perceived need, 2) habit of regular dental visits, and 3) access to dental services.