[Patient-based outcome measures: oral health-related quality of life]

Quality of life has initially been used as an outcome in social and economic research. In the past years the concept of quality of life has been extended to health research and the field of oral health. Oral health related quality of life is not equivalent with patient satisfaction; instead, it captures the impact of oral health problems on a variety of functional and psychosocial outcomes. Oral health related quality of life can be measured with standardized validated questionnaires as for example the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). the OHIP contains seven broad domains with items addressing oral health problems, which influence quality of life. Several studies using oral health related quality of life as an outcome have shown that reduced numbers of teeth or faulty restorations correlate with a poorer quality of life. Clinical trials with intervention have demonstrated that patients with implant overdentures experience a significantly improved quality of life compared to those with conventional complete dentures. Results from clinical studies using patient based outcomes such as oral health related quality of life can be used to provide patients and providers with improved information about the effectiveness of treatments.