Journal of International Dental and Medical Research ISSN 1309-100X Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Dental anxiety http://www.jidmr.com Albena Reshitaj, and et al Volume ∙ 12 ∙ Number ∙ 3 ∙ 2019 Page 1047 Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Dental Anxiety in Children with Malocclusion between 11-14 years Old Albena Reshitaj 1 , Resmije Bujupi 2 , Krenar Reshitaj 3 , Betina Bytyqi 3 1. University Hasan Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthodontics, Prishtina, 10000 Kosovo. 2. Main Medical Family Center Psychiatry Section, Suhareke, Kosovo. 3. University Hasan Prishtina Faculty of Medicine, 10000 Prishtina Kosovo. Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the level of dental anxiety and quality of life related to oral health in children with malocclusion between 11-14 years old. Materials and Methods: In this cross- sectional study 92 children with malocclusion and 35 children with dental caries were included. Short form of Child Perception Questionnaire (11-14) and Cora Dental Anxiety Scale Questionnaire were delivered to children in both groups. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 17. To test statistical difference student’s t test was used. Results: Dental Anxiety was higher in the group of children with dental caries p<0.01, There was significant statistical difference between gender as girls scored higher in both groups p<0.01. Regarding of negative emotions on Oral health Quality there was no significant statistical difference between two groups except on Oral Symptoms where significant statistical difference was found p<0.01. Conclusion: High level of dental anxiety during dental treatment and poor quality of live in children should be an alarm, therefore comprehensive programs and strategies should be developed in order to manage children of this category. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2019; 12(3): 1047-1049) Keywords: Quality of Life, Orthodontics Received date: 17 February 2019 Accept date: 19 May 2019 Introduction Oral diseases have a significant impact on quality of life and behavioral problems in children. 1 Malocclusion is the third most prevalent oral disease, dental caries being the first, 2 and is considered a public problem because of its high prevalence rate. 3 According to different studies teenagers who sought orthodontic treatment, especially those with more serious malocclusion, have shown a lower quality of life regarding to oral health than those who did not seek orthodontic treatment. 4,5 Measuring the quality of life as a method is a relatively new domain in orthodontics and is being developed and advanced rapidly. 6 Quality of life is being advanced not only for children and orthodontic but for elderly and other dental specialties as well 7 . Special instruments have been developed for the assessment of the impact of orthodontic malocclusion and dental anxiety of the oral condition in the quality of life of children. These instruments collect data using self reporting evaluation (questionnaire or interview) such as Child Perception Questionnaire (11-14) short version and Corah’s Dental Anxiety Rate. The experience of pain during dental treatment increases the risk of dental anxiety which causes absence of visits to the dentist, and is related with damages of the oral health. Studies have identified a strong link between dental anxiety and oral health, 8 and have also shown that both, dental anxiety and orthodontic malocclusion have an impact on patients lives in general. 4,5,6,9 Based on studies, anxious children have suffered significantly more traumatic visits than non- anxious children. Level of child dental anxiety is influenced by different factors such as: child’s personality, family relations 10 socioeconomic status (reduced use of health services 11 etc. Dental anxiety is a frequent cause of rejection and avoidance from dental treatment cites another study 12,13 therefore it is very important to understand the influence of malocclusion in children’s quality of life and level of dental anxiety they experience during dental interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of dental anxiety and quality of life *Corresponding author: Albena Reshitaj University Hasan Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthodontics, Prishtina, 10000 Kosovo. E-mail: albena.reshitaj@uni-pr.edu