Functional dentition and associated factors: the evaluation of three indicators

Studying the different indicators of functional dentition classification can contribute to the understanding of the associated factors, and thus help in the definition of strategies associated with oral health care. This approach has been little explored in the literature, especially when considering the older age group. Aim:The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors associated with three distinct functional dentition classification. Methods: Cross-sectional exploratory study using secondary data from the Frailty in Older Brazilians (FIBRA) Project of 876 older adults living in Campinas, Brazil. The indicators of dental function assessed was number of natural teeth present, occluding pairs of teeth and the Eichner index, which were verified by trained dentists, following the World Health Organization criteria for epidemiological studies in oral health. The explanatory variable assessed was the self-perception of oral health-related quality of life measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and its dimensions. It was also collected sociodemographic information such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, schooling, family income, smoking behavior and frailty status. The association was verified through Poisson regressions for number of teeth and pairs of teeth in occlusion and multinomial regression for the Eichner index, adjusted by sociodemographic and health variables. Results: Lower prevalence of participants with less than 21 teeth who negatively perceived GOHAI ́s pain and discomfort dimension and higher prevalence of having less teeth among the ones that negatively perceived GOHAI ́s physical and functional dimensions. No association was found between the perception of quality of life and occlusion pairs of teeth and the Eichner Index. Conclusion: Two out of three indicators assessed were associated with quality of life. Therefore, it is important to select sensitive indicators to be able to identify and better comprehend this relationship

Autopercepção da saúde bucal em idosos e fatores associados em Campinas, SP, 2008-2009 / Self-perceived oral health and associated factors among the elderly in Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, 2008-2009 / Autopercepción de la salud bucal en ancianos y factores asociados en Campinas, Sureste de Brasil, 2008-2009

OBJETIVO: Descrever a autopercepção de saúde bucal em idosos e analisar fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 876 participantes em amostra representativa de idosos (65 anos ou mais) de Campinas, SP, em 2008-2009. Os exames odontológicos seguiram critérios padronizados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde para levantamentos epidemiológicos de saúde bucal. A autopercepção da saúde bucal foi avaliada pelo índice Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Os indivíduos foram classificados segundo características sociodemográficas, odontológicas e prevalência de fragilidade biológica. O estudo de associações utilizou análise de regressão de Poisson; a análise considerou os pesos amostrais e a estrutura complexa da amostra por conglomerados. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos indivíduos foi de 72,8 anos; 70,1 por cento eram mulheres. A proporção de indivíduos com mais de 20 dentes presentes foi 17,2 por cento; 38,2 por cento usavam prótese dentária total em ambos os arcos; 8,5 por cento necessitavam desse recurso em ao menos um arco dentário. Em média, o índice GOHAI foi elevado: 33,9 (máximo possível 36,0). Manter 20 dentes ou mais, usar prótese total nos dois arcos, não necessitar desse tratamento, não apresentar alterações de mucosa oral e não apresentar fragilidade biológica foram os fatores significantemente associados com melhor autopercepção de saúde bucal (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação de autopercepção em saúde bucal permitiu identificar os principais fatores associados a esse desfecho. Esse instrumento pode contribuir para o planejamento de serviços odontológicos, orientando estratégias de promoção em saúde voltadas à melhora da qualidade de vida das pessoas desse grupo etário.

OBJECTIVE: To describe self-perceived oral health among elderly people and assess associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 876 participants forming a representative sample of elderly people (65 years of age or over) in Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, in 2008-2009. Dental examinations were conducted in accordance with criteria standardized by the World Health Organization for epidemiological surveys on oral health. Self-perceived oral health was evaluated using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Individuals were classified according to sociodemographic characteristics, dental factors and prevalence of biological frailty. Associations were assessed using Poisson regression analysis, taking into consideration sample weights and the complex structure of the cluster sampling. RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 72.8 years; 70.1 percent were women. The proportion of the individuals with more than 20 teeth present was 17.2 percent; 38.2 percent were using full dentures in both arches; 8.5 percent needed dental prostheses in at least one arch. On average, the GOHAI was high: 33.9 (maximum possible: 36.0). Retaining 20 teeth or more, using full dentures in both arches, not needing such treatment, not presenting any oral mucosa abnormalities and not presenting biological frailty were factors significantly associated with better self-perceived oral health (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of self-perceived oral health made it possible to identify the main factors associated with this outcome. This tool may contribute towards planning dental services and guide health promotion strategies for improving the quality of life of individuals within this age group.

OBJETIVO: Describir la autopercepción de salud bucal en ancianos y analizar factores sociodemográficos y clínicos asociados. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal con 876 participantes en muestra representativa de ancianos (65 años o más) de Campinas, Sureste de Brasil, en 2008-2009. Los exámenes odontológicos siguieron criterios estandarizados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud para levantamientos epidemiológicos de salud bucal. La autopercepción de la salud bucal fue evaluada por el índice Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Los individuos fueron clasificados según características sociodemográficas, odontológicas y prevalencia de fragilidad biológica. El estudio de asociaciones utilizó análisis de regresión de Poisson; el análisis consideró los pesos muestrales y la estructura compleja de la muestra por conglomerados. RESULTADOS: El promedio de edad de los individuos fuese 72,8 años; 70,1 por ciento eran mujeres. La proporción de individuos congas de 20 dientes presentes fue 17,2 por ciento; 38,2 por ciento usaban prótesis dentaria total en ambos arcos; 8,5 por ciento necesitaban de tal recurso en al menos un arco dentario. En promedio, el indice GOHAI fue elevado: 33,9 (máximo posible 36,0). Mantener 20 dientes o más, usar prótesis total en los dos arcos, no necesitar de este tratamiento, no presentar alteraciones de mucosa oral y no presentar fragilidad biológica fueron los factores significativamente asociados con mejor autopercepción de salud bucal (p<0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La evaluación de autopercepción en salud bucal permitió identificar los principales factores asociados a este resultado. Este instrumento puede contribuir para la planificación de servicios odontológicos, orientando estrategias de promoción en salud dirigidas a mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas de este grupo etario.

Self-perceived oral health and associated factors among the elderly in Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, 2008-2009.

OBJECTIVE: To describe self-perceived oral health among elderly people and assess associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 876 participants forming a representative sample of elderly people (65 years of age or over) in Campinas, Southeastern Brazil, in 2008-2009. Dental examinations were conducted in accordance with criteria standardized by the World Health Organization for epidemiological surveys on oral health. Self-perceived oral health was evaluated using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Individuals were classified according to sociodemographic characteristics, dental factors and prevalence of biological frailty. Associations were assessed using Poisson regression analysis, taking into consideration sample weights and the complex structure of the cluster sampling. RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 72.8 years; 70.1% were women. The proportion of the individuals with more than 20 teeth present was 17.2%; 38.2% were using full dentures in both arches; 8.5% needed dental prostheses in at least one arch. On average, the GOHAI was high: 33.9 (maximum possible: 36.0). Retaining 20 teeth or more, using full dentures in both arches, not needing such treatment, not presenting any oral mucosa abnormalities and not presenting biological frailty were factors significantly associated with better self-perceived oral health (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of self-perceived oral health made it possible to identify the main factors associated with this outcome. This tool may contribute towards planning dental services and guide health promotion strategies for improving the quality of life of individuals within this age group.