<![CDATA[Dental and oral health is an integral part of general health, with caries as the dominant problem measured using the DMF-T index. Data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) shows that the national prevalence of caries is 82.8% with adult DMF-T at 5.4, while in Aceh it reaches 4.8. The high number of DMF-T has the potential to reduce oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This study aims to analyze the relationship between the DMF-T index and the quality of life of patients at the Dental Polytechnic UPTD Batoh Health Center, Banda Aceh City. The study used a cross-sectional analytical observational design involving 93 patients aged ≥15 years through consecutive sampling techniques in February 2026. Data were obtained through the WHO standard DMF-T examination and the validated OHIP-14 questionnaire (Cronbach's α=0.83). The analysis was conducted in univariate, bivariate (chi-square test; α=0.05), and multivariate (multinomial logistic regression of the enter method). The results showed that the majority of female respondents (71%) were aged 25–44 years (37.6%). OHRQoL was dominated by the moderate category (60.2%), with moderate DMF-T (33.3%) and heavy calculus (35.5%). Multivariate analysis confirmed DMF-T as the dominant predictor of OHRQoL (p=0.033; AOR=0.044; 95% CI=0.003–0.782), followed by calculus (p=0.014; AOR=0.045; 95% CI=0.004–0.528). The conclusion of the study emphasizes the need for promotive, preventive, and curative interventions in primary services to reduce DMF-T and improve people's quality of life.]]>
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