Vol. 10, Issue 3, Part A (2024)

Dental and oral health are crucial for children, especially those aged 3-5 years, as this period marks the eruption of primary teeth and guides the development of permanent dentition. Poor dental and oral health can lead to functional limitations, discomfort, and pain, negatively impacting children's quality of life and potentially causing physical, psychological, or social issues. This study aimed to determine the impact of dental and oral health on the quality of life of children aged 3-5 years in Deli Serdang, Indonesia. This study was descriptive with cross-sectional design consisting 77 mothers who had children aged 3-5 years, with inclusion criteria were mothers whose children had dental and oral problems over the past three months. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) was used to assess the quality of life and categorized by the criteria of Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and consist of six domains such as: child’s symptoms, dental function, psychological, self-image or social interaction, parent’s condition, and family function. The most frequently dental and oral health issue reported was tooth decay 80.5%. Analysis of OHRQoL data revealed that child's symptoms were the most significantly affected domain, with a prevalence of 70.1%. This shows that the impact of tooth, mouth, and jaw pain on children affects their quality of life, highlighting the importance of early intervention and preventive dental care strategies.