Poor Dental Health Affects School Performance and Psychosocial Well-Being

Children with dental problems had more problems in school and were more likely to feel worthless or inferior, shy, and unhappy or depressed than children without dental problems.

Dental problems are among the most common pediatric health conditions globally and have been associated with both medical and developmental consequences. Researchers evaluated the relation between dental problems (toothache, cavity, or bleeding gums) and school performance and psychosocial well-being in more than 45,000 school-aged children (age range, 6–17 years) in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.

Approximately 30% of children had a dental problem, 30% had problems in school, and 10% of mothers rated their child's dental health as fair or poor. In multivariate analysis that was adjusted for socioeconomic and other potential confounders, children with dental problems were significantly more likely than children without dental …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)