The effect of some missing teeth on a subjects' oral health related quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of missing teeth on the level of Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL)in subjects reporting at a teaching dental hospital. METHOD: Using a structured Performa incorporating the 12-item General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) Questionnaire, and a consecutive (non-probability) sampling technique, data relating to 182 subjects fulfilling the study inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected using the method of interview and examination. Subjects responses to each of the 12 items of the GOHAI questionnaire were recorded to determine the impact of missing teeth on OHRQoL. Each of the GOHAI item had a maximum score of 5 thus giving a total of 60 as the maximum score. A high score of GOHAI indicated better ORHRQoL. The ORHRQol of subject was taken as good when the GOHAI score ranged 57-60, average when 51-56 and poor when ≤50. RESULTS: Subjects had a mean age of 35.6 ± 5.8 (S. Dev) with males as 50.5% compared to females (49.5%). The mean GOHAI score for all the subjects was 48.4 ± 8.2 as compared to the mean GOHAI score of 48.4 ± 8.2 for males and 47.6 ± 8.3 for females. The ORHRQoL was good in only 27%. A high proportion of subjects (53%) had poor OHRQoL. The number and the frontal location of the missing teeth adversely impacted OHRQoL. Missing maxillary anterior teeth had the most negative effect on OHRQoL. Missing mandibular first molar was the most common missing tooth either alone or in combination with other missing teeth among the subjects studied. The most important GOHAI items contributing to the adverse impact on the OHRQoL of the majority of subjects with some missing teeth were;often worried/concerned about dental problems and never having been pleased or happy with the look of their teeth and gum. CONCLUSION: The adverse effect of missing teeth on OHRQoL was substantial necessitating the importance of preventing the condition of missing teeth or restoring when missing and maintaining the oral health of subjects.

Factors Associated with Undergoing Regular Dental Check-ups in Healthy Elderly Individuals.

The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of healthy elderly individuals undergoing regular dental check-ups and identify any environmental or associated oral factors. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was used to interview 216 individuals attending 2 welfare facilities for the elderly, of whom 160 were included in the final analysis. Items comprised age, sex, number of residual teeth, frequency of teeth/denture cleaning, subjective chewing ability, denture use, oral status, regular dental check-ups, visitation of the same dentist, number of dental visits in the past year, General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) (Japanese version) score, living situation, and use of routine medication. Individuals undergoing regular dental check-ups were defined as those with a primary dentist whom they saw for dental check-ups at least once a year. The rate of individuals undergoing regular dental check-ups was 75.0% in men aged 60-74 years, 58.8% in women aged 60-74 years, 70.0% in men aged 75 years or over, and 45.3% in women aged 75 years or over. Logistic regression analysis revealed a higher number of residual teeth (odds ratio [OR]=2.664 in comparison with those with fewer than 20 teeth, p=0.0427); cleaning teeth/dentures 3 or more times per day (OR=2.546 in comparison with cleaning them twice per day or less, p=0.0157); and a higher GOHAI score (OR=2.742 in comparison with those with a GOHAI score of less than 58, p=0.0263) as factors significantly correlated with undergoing regular dental check-ups. In conclusion, the results revealed that individuals undergoing regular dental check-ups had 20 or more residual teeth, cleaned their teeth/denture 3 or more times per day, and had a higher GOHAI score. This indicates that the best predictive factor for undergoing regular dental check-ups in healthy elderly individuals is their GOHAI score.

Comportamiento del Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) y Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) en una población de adultos mayores de la Ciudad de México / Behavior of the Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) in a senior adult population in Mexico City

Objetivo: Determinar el comportamiento del Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index y Oral Impacts on Daily Performances como medidas de efecto de la salud bucodental relacionada con la calidad de vida en adultos mayores en una misma población. Métodos: Muestra representativa de adultos mayores derechohabientes del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social del suroeste de la Ciudad de México. Se realizaron entrevistas domiciliarias para conocer las características de la muestra y aplicación de los instrumentos Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index y Oral Impacts on Daily Performances. Evaluación clínica para determinar la experiencia de caries coronal y caries radicular. Resultados: Un total de 531 sujetos de 60 años y más participaron, 68.4% mujeres. La media (desviación estándar) de edad fue de 71.4 (7.0) años. El Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index presentó una media de 46.8 (6.2), y 4.1 (12.4) para el Oral Impacts on Daily Performances. La escolaridad mayor de seis años, no presentar limitaciones, con deterioro cognitivo y sin depresión, presentaron una media mayor del puntaje del Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index en comparación con los que no presentaban (p < 0.05). La escolaridad mayor de seis años, con una actividad laboral remunerada y sin depresión, presentaron una media menor del puntaje del Oral Impacts on Daily Performances en comparación a los que no presentaban (p < 0.05). Existe una correlación entre el Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index y componentes obturados, dientes funcionales (p < 0.05). Los componentes perdidos, obturados e índice caries coronal, así como coronas sanas y dientes funcionales presentaron una correlación con el Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (p < 0.05). Conclusión: El Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index tuvo mayor discriminación en las características de la población y el Oral Impacts on Daily Performances presentó mayor correlación con el estado de la dentición.

Objective: To determine the behavior of the Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index as well as the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances as effective measures in oral-dental health related to quality of life in senior citizens in a given population. Methods: A representative sample of senior citizens entitled to medical services at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (Mexican Institute of Social Security) located in the southwest region of Mexico City. Home interviews were conducted in order to ascertain the sample's characteristics as well as the application of the Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index and Oral Impacts on Daily Performances instruments. Clinical evaluation in order to determine experience of crown caries (CPO-D) and root caries CO-R). Results: A total of 531 subjects aged 60 years and over participated in the study, of which 68.4% were female. Age average (AA) was 71.4 years (7.0). Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index exhibited a mean of 46.8 (6.2) and Oral Impacts on Daily Performances showed 4.1 (12.4). Subjects included in the sample had attended school for over 6 years, did not present limitations of cognitive deterioration, and were depression-free, exhibited a higher mean in Oral Impacts on Daily Performances score than those which did not present those characteristics (p < 0.05). Six or more years of schooling with paid work and depression-free subjects presented lesser Oral Impacts on Daily Performances scores when compared to those who did not. (p < 0.05) A correlation was found between the Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index and filled components, functional teeth (p > 0.05). Filled and lost components and CPO-D index as well as healthy crowns and functional teeth exhibited a correlation with Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index exhibited higher discrimination in the population's characteristics whereas Oral Impacts on Daily Performances showed higher correlation with the state of the dentition.