Relationship between Malocclusion, Bullying, and Quality of Life in Students from Low Social Development Area: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To analyze the relationship between malocclusion and bullying and its impact on the well-being and quality of life of students from low social development areas. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 243 schoolchildren between 10 and 17 years. Malocclusion was analyzed using Dental Aesthetic Index. Bullying and self-perception of the impact of one’s oral condition on quality of life and interpersonal relationships were assessed by questions from National Survey of Schoolchildren\u27s Health and Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ11-14). Data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney tests, considering groups: 10-11, 12-14 and 15-17 years. Results: No correlation was observed between malocclusion and bullying. However, in the 12-14 group, poor correlations were found between malocclusion and the CPQ11-14 (0.226) and between malocclusion and being shy/embarrassed due to oral aspects (0.298). Positive correlations were observed between bullying and the impact on the quality of life in the 10-11 (0.420) and 12-14 (0.425) groups. In the older group, a positive correlation (0.724) was observed between the concern about what others think of their oral health and the impact on their quality of life. Conclusion: There was no evidence of a relationship between malocclusion and bullying. However, the oral conditions negatively affected the interpersonal relationships and the student\u27s quality of life

Relationship between Malocclusion, Bullying, and Quality of Life in Students from Low Social Development Area: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To analyze the relationship between malocclusion and bullying and its impact on the well-being and quality of life of students from low social development areas. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 243 schoolchildren between 10 and 17 years. Malocclusion was analyzed using Dental Aesthetic Index. Bullying and self-perception of the impact of one’s oral condition on quality of life and interpersonal relationships were assessed by questions from National Survey of Schoolchildren's Health and Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ11-14). Data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney tests, considering groups: 10-11, 12-14 and 15-17 years. Results: No correlation was observed between malocclusion and bullying. However, in the 12-14 group, poor correlations were found between malocclusion and the CPQ11-14 (0.226) and between malocclusion and being shy/embarrassed due to oral aspects (0.298). Positive correlations were observed between bullying and the impact on the quality of life in the 10-11 (0.420) and 12-14 (0.425) groups. In the older group, a positive correlation (0.724) was observed between the concern about what others think of their oral health and the impact on their quality of life. Conclusion: There was no evidence of a relationship between malocclusion and bullying. However, the oral conditions negatively affected the interpersonal relationships and the student's quality of life