Do, L.Spencer, A.2010-04-062010-04-062008Community Dental Health, 2008; 25(4):205-2100265-539X2515-1746http://hdl.handle.net/2440/57366© BASCD 2008BACKGROUND: The evaluation of instruments measuring oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children has been largely among convenience samples of patients with specific diseases or disorders such as cleft lip/cleft palate or malocclusion. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the consistency and validity of the recently developed Child Perception Questionnaires (CPQ(8-10) and CPQ(11-14)) and the corresponding Parental Perception Questionnaire (PPQ) in a general child population sample in South Australia. METHODS: The study was nested in the Child Oral Health Study. Some 1401 children aged 8 to 13 in 2002/03 were approached. Children were asked to complete the CPQ(8-10) and CPQ(11-14) according to their age while parents completed the PPQ. The questionnaires included global ratings of oral health and overall well-being. Scores for four domains (oral symptoms, functional limitations, emotional well-being and social well-being) were calculated. Data on caries experience (number of decayed, missing and filled tooth surfaces) and occlusal traits (using Dental Aesthetic Index) were collected for each child. RESULTS: The CPQs and PPQ showed acceptable internal consistency and construct validity against global ratings of oral health and overall well-being. Children who had more caries or less acceptable occlusal traits reported poorer OHRQoL establishing the discriminant validity of the instruments. Parents of the children reported similar child OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the instruments have consistency and validity in measuring OHRQoL of children in a general population.enChildrengeneral populationoral health-related quality of life.Journal article002008418210.1922/CDH_2241Do060002618789000042-s2.0-5774911291140895Do, L. [0000-0003-3684-9949]Spencer, A. [0000-0002-3462-7456]