Oral health-related quality of life in patients receiving dental treatment from dental therapists

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.