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Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Refugees: A Questionnaire-Based Study
Katharina Fink1, Kais Alkayed2, Franz Sebastian Schwindling1
1University Hospital for Dental Prosthetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Objectives:
The issue of oral health problems among refugees, not only during their journey but also once they arrive at their destination, is a current one. This study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of refugees, with the intention of highlighting a potential need for improved education and easier access to dental care.
Materials And Methods:
A questionnaire based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was distributed via hyperlink on social media, targeting individuals with a refugee background to collect data on their OHRQoL.
Results:
A total of 401 participants completed the questionnaire. The median OHIP score for all participants was 8 (IQR 2-17) out of a maximum of 56, with 0 representing the best possible OHRQoL. The median OHIP score was 6 (IQR 2-16) for male and 8 (IQR 2-18) for female participants.
Conclusions:
A comparison of the OHIP score from this study with reference values from non-refugee populations shows an elevated score and, thus, a lower oral quality of life.
Clinical Relevance:
The findings of this study indicate a clear need for enhanced access to dental care for refugees, coupled with an educational initiative aimed at fostering an appreciation of the importance of daily dental hygiene.
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