Oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving dental treatment from dental therapists
- 1Division of Dental Therapy, Department of Primary Dental Care, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota
- 2Division of Dental Hygiene, Department of Primary Dental Care, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota
- 3Department of Diagnostic & Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota
Abstract
Purpose Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measured by the 5-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-5) allows characterization of patients’ oral health impact into normative values in a university setting. This study aims to derive OHIP-5 normative values for patients seeking care from the dual degree student provider of the dental hygienist and dental therapist in Minnesota. Methods Normative OHIP-5 values were determined in n = 2,835 patients at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, representing sample-based reference distributions. Summary scores were analysed using an empirical cumulative distribution function, with the 90th percentile threshold indicating typical versus elevated impact, while dimensional scores (Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact) assessed as elevated impact were considered frequent item response categories “fairly often” or “very often”. Results The vast majority (90%) of patients seeking care from the dual degree student providers presented an OHIP-5 score of 6 or less, characterizing OHIP-5 scores of 7–20 points as “non-typically elevated”. The “non-typically elevated” dimension scores occurred in 7% of patients for Oral Function, 6% for Orofacial Pain, 11% for Orofacial Appearance, and 2% for Psychosocial Impacts. Conclusion Understanding normative OHIP-5 values in patient populations treated by dual degree student providers in dental school settings supports clinical decision-making by guiding diagnostic, referral, and treatment pathways. Their role in preventive and restorative care advances patient-centered outcomes, aligning with the quadruple aim of healthcare.
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BibTeX
@article{louwagie2026oral,
title = {{Oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving dental treatment from dental therapists}},
author = {Emma Louwagie and Michelle C. Arnett and Aparna Ingleshwar and Mike T. John and Danna R. Paulson and Yvette G. Reibel and Phonsuda Chanthavisouk},
journal = {Health and Quality of Life Outcomes},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12955-026-02572-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-026-02572-2},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving dental treatment from dental therapists
AU - Emma Louwagie
AU - Michelle C. Arnett
AU - Aparna Ingleshwar
AU - Mike T. John
AU - Danna R. Paulson
AU - Yvette G. Reibel
AU - Phonsuda Chanthavisouk
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
DO - 10.1186/s12955-026-02572-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-026-02572-2
AB - Purpose Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) measured by the 5-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-5) allows characterization of patients’ oral health impact into normative values in a university setting. This study aims to derive OHIP-5 normative values for patients seeking care from the dual degree student provider of the dental hygienist and dental therapist in Minnesota. Methods Normative OHIP-5 values were determined in n = 2,835 patients at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, representing sample-based reference distributions. Summary scores were analysed using an empirical cumulative distribution function, with the 90th percentile threshold indicating typical versus elevated impact, while dimensional scores (Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact) assessed as elevated impact were considered frequent item response categories “fairly often” or “very often”. Results The vast majority (90%) of patients seeking care from the dual degree student providers presented an OHIP-5 score of 6 or less, characterizing OHIP-5 scores of 7–20 points as “non-typically elevated”. The “non-typically elevated” dimension scores occurred in 7% of patients for Oral Function, 6% for Orofacial Pain, 11% for Orofacial Appearance, and 2% for Psychosocial Impacts. Conclusion Understanding normative OHIP-5 values in patient populations treated by dual degree student providers in dental school settings supports clinical decision-making by guiding diagnostic, referral, and treatment pathways. Their role in preventive and restorative care advances patient-centered outcomes, aligning with the quadruple aim of healthcare.
SN - 1477-7525
ER -