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

Aida Bianco, Silvia Mazzea, Leonzio Fortunato, Amerigo Giudice, Rosa Papadopoli, Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile and Maria Pavia
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Aida Bianco: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro “Magna Græcia”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Silvia Mazzea: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro “Magna Græcia”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Leonzio Fortunato: Department of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Catanzaro “Magna Græcia”, Via T. Campanella, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Amerigo Giudice: Department of Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Catanzaro “Magna Græcia”, Via T. Campanella, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Rosa Papadopoli: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro “Magna Græcia”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Carmelo Giuseppe Angelo Nobile: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87100 Cosenza, Italy
Maria Pavia: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro “Magna Græcia”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-12

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 ?60 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.

Keywords: elderly; GOHAI; oral health; oral health impact; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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