Oral Health Status and the Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among the Institutionalized Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Area of Southern Italy

Abstract

Background: The objectives of this study were to describe the oral health status in the institutionalized geriatric population in an area of southern Italy and to identify the impact of oral health on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Methods: Data were collected from individuals aged ³60 years in randomly selected Calabrian long-term care facilities. The dental health status was assessed recording the decayed, missing, or filled dental elements due to the carious lesions (DMFT) index, the presence of visible dental plaque, and the gingival condition. The influence of the dental health status on the self-perceived value of life was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Results: Among the 344 elderly individuals included, 18.4% reported frequent tooth-brushing, and only 39.9% reported the need of dental care. The DMFT index was 26.4. Less than a third of the participants had a GOHAI score of £50 which is suggestive of highly compromised OHRQoL. The GOHAI score was significantly better for elderly individuals with no self-perceived need of dental care and with a lower DMFT index. Conclusions: The burden of oral conditions among residents in long-term care facilities was considerable, with a high prevalence of missing teeth and dentures. Strategies targeting care providers are needed.

Oral Health among Elderly, Impact on Life Quality, Access of Elderly Patients to Oral Health Services and Methods to Improve Oral Health: A Narrative Review

“…The presence of comorbidities such as hypertension, heart disease, arthritis was associated with the number of present teeth ( p = 0.035, 0.005, and 0.023, respectively). It was observed that dementia was more prevalent in elders with more than 1 decayed teeth than in elders that did not have decayed teeth ( p = 0.044) [ 90 ].…”

Saúde Bucal de Idosos Institucionalizados: uma revisão integrativa

“…Research, Society and Development, v. 11, n. 11, e476111133771, 2022 (CC BY 4.0) relataram limpar a prótese em pelo menos uma vez ao dia (Bianco et al, 2021).…”

Research Status, Hotspots, and Trends on Oral Care Research in the Elderly in Mainland China Published from 2002-2022: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…The elderly who live in elderly care facilities for a long time are at greater risk of oral diseases due to cognitive dysfunction, comorbidity and terminal palliative state. Oral health care for the elderly in elderly care facilities is generally inadequate worldwide [19,20], research has shown that older adults with cognitive dysfunction are becoming the main body of elderly care facilities accompanied by chronic psychiatric and behavioral abnormalities [21]. Hence, it may be considered to shift the research focus to oral care for the elderly living in elderly care facilities in the future, and standardized assessment of oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior, in combination with the current situation of oral health of the elderly, to explore a comprehensive nursing intervention that is suitable for the clinical situation in accordance with in mainland China's national conditions and can improve the oral health outcome of the elderly in elderly care facilities scienti cally and effectively.…”