[Evaluation of the impact on quality of life caused by oral health problems in adults and the elderly in a southeastern Brazilian city].

The scope of this paper was to evaluate the prevalence of the impact of oral health problems on quality of life, and its association with socio-demographic and clinical variables and the use of dental services by adults and the elderly in Marechal Floriano. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 237 participants. Data was collected by Municipal Community Health Agents using four questionnaires with items about the socio-demographic and oral health status of the participants, dental practice structure and oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). The greatest impact perception related to oral health problems was found in individuals over 40 years of age (OR= 2.37 IC 95%=1.375;4.098), those with a perceived need for removable partial dentures (OR= 2.771 IC 95%=1.488;5.162), and full removable dentures (OR= 2.292 IC 95%=1.305;4.026). The impact prevalence was of 35% and revealed an association with age and the perceived need for partial and full dentures. Subjective indicators must be used in conjunction with objective indicators to determine the population's treatment needs, thereby improving oral health and quality of life of the population.