The impact of oral health on quality of life in children aged 2-4

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between oral health and quality of life in children aged 2-4 years. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between 2024 and 2025 at the Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Oral and Dental Health Education and Research Hospital in Erzincan Province. The sample consisted of 250 randomly selected children and their parents. A demographic information form, the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale, and the Early Childhood Life Scale were used as data collection tools. The data were analyzed using the SPSS for Windows 22 software package. Results: A significant relationship has been found between children's oral health status and their quality of life (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis performed, a negative and moderate relationship was determined between the presence of dental caries and quality of life scores (r = -0.46, p<0.05). Children with dental caries and poor oral hygiene were found to have lower Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale scores compared to healthy children. Increased parental education level and regular dental check-ups positively affected children's quality of life scores. The analysis results showed that the presence of decay had a significant effect on children's quality of life. Conclusion: Research findings reveal that oral health in early childhood plays a critical role in the quality of life of both children and their families. In light of these findings, it is recommended that educational programs for parents be increased, regular oral health check-ups be made more widespread, and community-based preventive oral health services be strengthened. Keywords: Early Childhood, Oral Health, Public Health Nursing, Quality Of Life,