Tooth Loss and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Study in a Convenience Sample from Austria

Background: To examine the association between the number and location of missing teeth and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as self-assessed general health in a convenience sample of Austrian dental patients, and to evaluate the applicability of the OHIP-G 14 and OHIP-G 12 instruments in this context. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to adult patients in the waiting area of a single Austrian dental practice. It included the German version of the OHIP-14, a visual analog scale (EQ-5D VAS) for self-assessed general health, and demographic questions. A dentist clinically assessed the number and location of missing teeth using the FDI tooth numbering system. Regression models were used to evaluate the impact of anterior and posterior tooth loss on both outcome measures. The role of tooth replacement was also explored. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using the OHIP-G 12, a modified version excluding two items from the OHIP-14. Results: OHRQoL was significantly associated with the number of missing anterior teeth, while self-assessed general health was associated only with missing posterior teeth. These associations were consistent across models using OHIP-G 14 and OHIP-G 12. Tooth replacement, as assessed, showed no significant influence on either outcome. Age initially correlated with both outcomes but lost significance after controlling for the number of missing teeth. Conclusions: The hypothesis that anterior tooth loss negatively affects OHRQoL was supported. The association between posterior tooth loss and general health perception was not expected and requires further investigation. The OHIP-G 12 proved to be a valid and efficient alternative in this setting.