QUALITY OF LIFE

口腔疾病和状况非常普遍， 这些问题的逐步后果不仅是物质上的，而且是经济上的， 社交的和心理的。口腔健康与整体的关系 生活质量作为一个重要领域得到越来越多的认可 科学研究的最高成就。分支机构的工作人员参加了NIH 委员会，以拓宽生活质量研究的深度和范围。 这项研究计划代表了一系列承担的项目 将口腔生活质量概念化，并描述然后 量化口述的功能、心理和社会后果 疾病及其治疗。广泛的文献综述和 已经与外部专家进行了磋商，以努力 提高口腔生活质量的测量和解释水平。 工作人员与NCHS合作，改进确定残疾的方法 与口腔有关。基于对……的回顾和综合 1992年由工作人员出版的文学作品，口腔生活质量正在被 重新评估针对特定受众的老年退伍军人的职位 退伍军人事务部的文件。 已开始对进行的焦点小组讨论进行定性分析 在一组认为口腔问题对 他们的生活方式是长期的。焦点群体分析 记录表明，口腔问题会改变一个人的 自我形象、活动和生活选择。结果将对以下方面有用 在今后的调查中，量化措施的发展。

Oral diseases and conditions are highly prevalent and the progressive consequences of these are not only physical, but economic, social, and psychological. The relation of oral health to overall quality of life has gained increasing recognition as an important area of scientific investigation. Branch staff have participated on NIH committees to broaden the depth and scope of quality of life research. This research program represents a series of projects undertaken conceptualize oral quality of life as well as to describe and then quantify the functional, psychological, and social consequences of oral disorders and their treatment. Extensive literature reviews and consultations with external experts have been conducted in an effort to improve the measurement and interpretation of oral quality of life. Staff have worked with NCHS to improve ways of determining disability in relation to the oral cavity. Based upon a review and synthesis of literature published by staff in 1992, oral quality of life is being reassessed for the specific audience of aging veterans in a position paper for the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Qualitative analyses have begun on focus group discussions conducted on a sample of women who perceived that oral problems had impacted their life in long-term ways. Analysis of the focus group transcriptions indicate that oral problems can alter an individual's self-image, activities, and life choices. Results will be useful for the development of quantitative measures in future investigations.