Dental Caries Experience and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Secondary School Students in Kigali, Rwanda

Background Untreated dental caries is a leading cause of poor oral health and has a significant impact on quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effect of dental caries on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among secondary school students in Kigali, Rwanda.Methods An analytical quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 646 students aged 12–21. Socio-demographics, oral hygiene, and caries experiences were collected. The oral impact on daily performance score was used to assess oral health-related quality of life. Binary analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed to investigate the association between variables and dental caries. ResultsThe study found a moderate DMFT index (3.3 ± 3.9), with decayed teeth at 61.1%. Daily activity affected more than 91% of participants, pain affected 35%, and dissatisfaction with oral health, 58.5%. Participants aged 15–19 years had a higher prevalence of dental caries (AOR 3.3, P=0.03), the same as those who did not brush (P<0.001), chewing foods (P<0.001), or missed school (P<0.001). The OIDP scores were greater among rural residents (P=0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of dental caries was moderate. It significantly affected students’ social, emotional, and physical well-being. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve oral health and its impact on students’ quality of life. Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2025;8(2):295-305