Association of Dental Caries and Periodontitis on Oral Health-related Quality of Life among Indian Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
R. Narendhira Arjun, Arthi Balasubramaniam, I. Meignana Arumugham, K. Umesh, Delfin Lovelina Francis
Abstract
Objective:
To systematically review observational studies evaluating the association between dental caries, periodontitis, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the Indian population.
Methods:
Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2015 and March 2025. Two reviewers independently screened and selected eligible studies. Observational studies assessing the association of dental caries and/or periodontitis with OHRQoL using validated instruments were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate pooled correlation coefficients (
Results:
Of 1481 records identified, 48 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Clinically and methodologically comparable studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. Early childhood caries demonstrated a positive association with poorer OHRQoL. Meta-analysis restricted to clinically comparable adult population studies demonstrated a nonsignificant trend toward poorer OHRQoL among individuals with dental caries (RR = 1.50; 95% CI: 0.95–2.36). Meta-analysis restricted to studies based on the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile demonstrated that periodontitis was associated with significantly poorer OHRQoL among adults (SMD = −0.12; 95% CI: −0.21 to −0.03). Due to substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity across the studies, several outcomes were synthesized narratively. Certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low.
Conclusion:
Dental caries and periodontitis may adversely affect OHRQoL among the Indian population. However, substantial heterogeneity, variability in OHRQoL instruments, and the observational nature of included studies warrant cautious interpretation of pooled estimates.PROSPERO Reg no: CRD42022348536