Oral health-related quality of life in older people in Kashan/Iran 2015

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) means the subjective perception of oral health and its impacts on the quality of life. It is an important indicator in oral surveys. <strong><br />Objectives:</strong> The aim of this study was to evaluate OHRQOL in older people in Kashan city (Iran) in 2015. <strong><br />Methods:</strong> In this cross-sectional study, 500 elders aged <60 years were evaluated. The Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was used for data collection along with demographic and oral cavity characteristics. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis test, and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The 58.6% of participants were male. Mean age was 73.79 ± 10.13 years. The 284 (56.8%) participants were edentulousness. The GOHAI total score was 43.08 ± 8.35 that showed the above average scores of measurements. Statistical tests showed that the OHRQOL was significantly better in married persons, with negative history of smoking, and those who used mouthwash, toothpicks, regular tooth brush, and tooth floss (<em>P</em> < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, the age, gender, education, the history of smoking, color of gum, number of decayed teeth, the firmness of gum, having denture, and frequency of tooth brushing could explain 38.7% of OHRQOL. <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The physical indicators of the oral cavity in older people of Kashan were not satisfactory although the OHRQOL was above medium level. In Kashan, it seems that use of full dentures is more common than other treatments such as filling caries or using implants.