Oral Health Conditions and Quality of Life Among Schoolchildren in Rural Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) reflects the functional and psychosocial impacts of oral conditions on daily life. In low-resource settings such as rural Tanzania, limited access to dental care and preventive services may increase the burden of oral disease. This study assessed the association between clinical oral health conditions and OHRQoL among schoolchildren in rural Tanzania.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 schoolchildren at Igelehezda Primary School, Ilembula, Tanzania. Clinical examinations assessed dental caries using the DMFT index and oral hygiene using the OHI-S index. OHRQoL was measured with the Child Oral Impact on Daily Performances (C-OIDP) questionnaire. Behavioral data included sugar intake, number of daily meals, and toothbrushing-related symptoms. Associations between clinical, behavioral factors and OHRQoL were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate tests, and multiple linear regression (p < 0.05).

All 293 children completed the study (mean age 12.2 ± 1.2 years; 157 females, 136 males). Mean DMFT was 2.7 ± 4.1, with 80.5% free of untreated caries, and mean OHI-S indicated good oral hygiene (0.4 ± 0.6). Most participants were periodontally healthy (68.3%). Toothache, gum pain, or bleeding during brushing were reported by 26.0-31.6%. Eating was the most affected daily activity (42.7%). Missing teeth, toothbrushing-related symptoms, and consumption of high-sugar sweets were significantly associated with higher C-OIDP scores (p < 0.05), while a higher number of daily meals was associated with fewer impacts.

Missing teeth, toothbrushing-related symptoms, and high sugar intake were associated with greater impairment in daily life, particularly affecting eating. These findings highlight the need for preventive and educational oral health interventions in rural, resource-limited settings.