Purpose: The most commonly used oral health related quality of life measures, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and Oral Impact on Daily Performances (OIDP), are affected by cultural and linguistic factors, which may be intensified in a treatment-need driven society. This study therefore aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the OHIP-14 and OIDP measures in adult patients in Nigeria where patients typically visit the dentist when dental problems arise. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 264 patients attending two dental clinics were recruited. Data were collected with OHIP-14 and OIDP structured interviewer-administered questionnaires, global selfreport and perceived need for dental treatment questions and by oral examination. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 19 and the level of statistical significance was set at a p-value of 0.05. Results: The majority (61.0%) rated their oral health status poorly and 203 (76.9%) perceived a need for treatment. The average OHIP and OIDP scores were 12.0 (range 0 to 56) and 8.9 (range 0 to 40), respectively. Both instruments showed a high index of validity and reliability; both had similar face and content validity, however, OIDP had better criterion validity while OHIP-14 had better construct validity and internal consistency. Conclusions: Both OHIP-14 and OIDP are precise, valid and reliable for evaluation of OHRQOL where dental care is treatment-need driven. They are able to discriminate between groups according to their perception of oral health status, but with OIDP detecting fewer impacts on daily activities. Schlagwörter: OHIP, OIDP, oral health status, quality of life, treatment-need driven