Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Facial Pain

Abstract

Quality of life is defined as a broad multidimensional concept that encompasses subjective evaluations of both positive and negative aspects of life. This includes a broad range of life events including health, financial status, marital status, and incidents of bereavement. One aspect that can significantly affect the quality of life is facial pain, which can result in anxiety, fear, stress, panic, and depression. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) becomes an important issue in the treatment for patients that suffer from various clinical conditions that cause pain. Some facial disorders and cases that may result in facial pain include jaw fractures, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), facial paralysis following stroke, migraines, cleft lips and palates, ankyloglossia, ageusia, and radiotherapy and surgery as treatment for oral and nasal cancer. Quality of life is an integral component of an individual’s well-being. It is therefore a crucial and pressing issue that requires further training of health care practitioners in order to increase sensitivity and awareness of transcultural health issues. Qualitative research must be conducted in various pain settings in order to collect data on OHRQoL to establish goals to correct oral health disparities and improve the treatment of facial pain. A deeper understanding in identifying populations at risk will also aid in the formulation of public health policies and the allocation of financial outlays in the budget for oral health initiatives.