Objective

To evaluate the impact of caries on the quality of life of teenagers confined in the Correctional Center of Córdoba, Argentina.

Method

A clinical examination was conducted to 70 teenagers in order to determine DMFT and the necessary treatment. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) was used.

Results

The study conducted on a sample of 70 teenagers reported that the average of elements found in the mouth was 28.1±1.53, the DMFT index was 8.9±4.75, decayed teeth were 7.4±4.26, missed teeth were 0.6±0.91, filled teeth were 0,9 ± 1.97, and that 67.14 % of patients needed rehabilitation treatment. OHIP-49 showed greater impact on psychological discomfort (52.86 %), functional limitation (47.14 %), physical pain (40 %), physical disability (41.43 %), and less impact on psychological disability (28.57 %), social disability (21.43 %), and disadvantage (22.86 %).

Conclusion

Dental caries experience produces an average impact on the quality of life of these teenagers, being physical pain the most critical factor.