Caries Impacts and Experiences and Dental Care Utilization for Saudi Schoolchildren: Caries Impacts and Experiences Questionnaire for Children – A Disease-Specific Measure.

Introduction: The Caries Impacts and Experiences Questionnaire for Children (CARIES-QC) is a disease-specific questionnaire that assesses the impact of caries on the oral health-related quality of life of children. This study aimed to establish a baseline for caries-specific impact on schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia and to examine its association with dental care utilization. Methods: This cross-sectional study used random stratified cluster sampling among 4th–6th graders in Jeddah. Two surveys were administered: (1) a general parental survey and (2) CARIES-QC, a self-reported survey for children. Clinical examinations were conducted using the decayed, missing due to caries, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) index. Descriptive statistics provided CARIES-QC baseline estimates, and multilevel linear regression was performed to examine the relationships between CARIES-QC scores, DMFT/dmft index, and care utilization. Results: A total of 805 children aged 8–13 years participated. The overall median CARIES-QC score was six (interquartile range, 3–11). A higher DMFT/dmft index was associated with a higher CARIES-QC score (p < 0.05). Children who had never visited a dentist had lower CARIES-QC scores (β = −1.18, 95% confidence interval: −2.33; −0.02, p = 0.045) than those who had visited a dentist in the past 12 months. After adjusting for reasons for dental visits, the CARIES-QC scores were not associated with prior dental visits (p = 0.086). Conclusion: A higher DMFT/dmft index was associated with higher CARIES-QC scores, but prior dental care utilization was not significantly associated with improved CARIES-QC scores. Future research should explore other factors that influence the relationship between care utilization and caries-specific quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]