Impact of molar incisor hypomineralization on oral health–related quality of life in 8–10-year-old children

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children with and without molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and to assess the impact of severity of MIH on OHRQoL in children between 8–10 years using the German version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ-G8-10). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged 8–10 years were recruited at a pediatric dental clinic in Hannover, Germany. Half of them were affected by MIH. Participants were evaluated for presence and severity of MIH (MIH-TNI), plaque and dental caries status. Children were asked to answer the CPQ-G8-10. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism-software version 8. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight children (mean age 8.80 [± 0.84]; 43.10% female) were included in the study with 94 children having MIH. CPQ-G8-10 mean scores in MIH-affected children were significantly higher than in children showing no MIH (13.87 [± 8.91] vs. 4.20 [± 3.74]; p < 0.0001) showing that MIH has negative impact OHRQoL. Similar trends were seen in all four subdomains. Regarding severity, CPQ-G8-10 mean scores increased from mild to severe forms of MIH. CONCLUSION: Children affected by MIH show an impaired OHRQoL compared to children without MIH; with increasing severity, OHRQoL gets more impaired. Clinical relevance To understand the patient’s perception and the individual oral health needs will help to prioritize MIH and recognize its impact. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-021-04150-w.