Disability and the impact of need for periodontal care on quality of life: A cross-sectional study

What is it about?

We compared the need for periodontal care and its impact on daily life between disabled and healthy adults in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 819 adults and used a questionnaire to assess the impact of periodontitis on pain, avoiding foods, embarrassment, sleeplessness, work absence, and discontinuing daily activities. The outcome was clinically assessed need for periodontal care impacting daily life. Healthy and disabled persons had a high need for periodontal care. Current smokers had a higher likelihood and health-insured persons had a lower likelihood of need for periodontal care impacting daily life regardless of whether disability was considered.

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Why is it important?

Most adults need periodontal care, and disabled persons experience a greater impact of periodontal disease on life. Current smokers and uninsured persons are more likely to need periodontal care impacting daily life. Our findings are important for the prevention of periodontitis through tobacco cessation and extending insurance coverage.