Searching for Ways to Improve Visiting Oral Health Care Services in Korea through Comparison with Japanese System in Long-Term Care Insurance / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Legal regulations and fees have been established in Korea to provide visiting oral health care services to individuals with long-term care insurance (LTCI). However, beneficiaries of this service are very limited. Therefore, to improve the Korean system we propose a comparative analysis with the Japanese system. @*Methods@#This study is a descriptive analysis based on secondary data, such as statistics, laws, and service record forms from Korea and Japan. The most recent institutional documents were obtained through a Google search. The variables investigated were financial resources of LTCI, co-payment structure, monthly limit of LTCI benefits, care levels of LTCI, service providers, service costs, contents of service, and the number of cases of service. @*Results@#In both Korea and Japan, LTCI is financed through a combination of taxes and insurance premiums. However, the monthly limit for receiving LTCI services in Japan is about 2.4 times higher than in Korea. Visiting medical and dental treatment is also possible in Japan. Furthermore, nursing staff can provide daily oral health care services according to dental hygienists’ instruction unlike Korea. Oral health care services in Korea are focused on oral hygiene and prevention of oral diseases, while Japan additionally provides oral function screening, patient education for oral health management, and training for nursing staff to enhance oral function, eating, and swallowing of the patients. @*Conclusion@#We concluded that the possibility of visiting dental treatment, differences in monthly limit of LTCI benefits, oral function assessment and guidance, as well as collaboration with other healthcare professionals contributed to the difference in the frequency of utilization of visiting oral health care services between Korea and Japan.

Short Communication: Links between Dental Hygiene Curriculum and Dental Hygiene Task Analysis / 치위생과학회지

Background@#The problem with current dental hygienist education is that it operates as an education system based on the national examination rather than on a practical basis; thus, graduates have difficulties in practice after obtaining their license. This study aimed to propose a job-oriented curriculum by analyzing the links between the task analysis of Korean dental hygienists and dental hygiene learning goals. @*Methods@#This study performed a relationship analysis based on a second job analysis study of dental hygienists conducted by the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute and the learning goals of the Korean Dental Hygiene Faculty Association. @*Results@#Based on the links between the task and learning goals of the dental hygienist, they were classified into six types: 1) tasks listed in the license exam and learning goal, 2) tasks not listed in the license exam but listed in learning goals, 3) tasks not listed in learning goals, 4) learning goals not related to tasks, 5) learning goals listed in a few tasks, and 6) tasks related to several learning goals. The results showed that most of them correspond to the 5th classification, followed by the 3rd and 4th categories, which are mostly basic science learning goals. Tasks without learning goals are not included in the curriculum; thus, the curriculum needs to be supplemented. The overlapping learning goals of several subjects for one job skill must be reduced in job-oriented education. @*Conclusion@#We suggest that the dental hygiene curriculum be developed based on task analysis and reflected in the national dental hygienist exam. The clinical practice performance of dental hygienists will take further leap forward through task-oriented education.

Relationship between Obesity, Gingival Inflammation, and Periodontal Bacteria after 4-Week Weight Control Program in 20’s / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Obesity weakens acquired immunity and causes infection. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the inflammatory markers in the gingival crevicular fluid and serum and periodontal bacteria in saliva through obesity control for 4 weeks. @*Methods@#Forty-six subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥23 kg/m2 stayed in the camp for 4 weeks, followed by exercise and a low salt-low fat diet. Body size measurements, oral examinations, blood, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid were collected before and after the program. C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, and interleukin (IL)-1b in the gingival sulcus fluid were measured. After extracting bacterial genomic DNA from saliva, the presence of periodontal bacteria were detected using Taq probe. The relationship of each index before and after the program was analyzed through paired t-test and partial correlation analysis. @*Results@#Campylobacter rectus (Cr) increased after the program, and there was no significant change in other bacteria. Serum CRP and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cr, ratio of Fn, and ratio of Cr had a positive relationship at baseline; however, the relationship was not significant after the program. Ratio of Prevotella intermedia had a positive relationship with MMP-9, MMP-8, IL-1b at baseline. Moreover, the ratio of Treponema denticola and the ratio of Tannerella forsythia showed a positive relationship with MMP-8, MMP-9, and IL-1b. The relationship between the ratio of Porphyromonas gingivalis and IL-1β showed a constant positive relationship at baseline and after the program. @*Conclusion@#Obesity control program in subjects with a BMI of ≥23 kg/m2 accompanied by diet and exercise did not affect the changes in periodontal bacteria itself, but changes in the relationship between periodontal bacteria and serum CRP, the relationship between the inflammatory index in the gingival crevicular fluid and periodontal bacteria was observed.

Analysis of Dental Hygienist Job Recognition Using Text Mining / 치위생과학회지

Background@#The aim of this study was to analyze the public demand for information about the job of dental hygienists by mining text data collected from the online Q & A section on an Internet portal site. @*Methods@#Text data were collected from inquiries that were posted on the Naver Q & A section from January 2003 to July 2020 using “dental hygienist job recognition,” “role recognition,” “medical assistance,” and “scaling” as search keywords. Text mining techniques were used to identify significant Korean words and their frequency of occurrence. In addition, the association between words was analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 10,753 Korean words related to the job of dental hygienists were extracted from the text data. “Chi-lyo (treatment),” “chigwa (dental clinic),” “ske-illing (scaling),” “itmom (gum),” and “chia (tooth)” were the five most frequently used words. The words were classified into the following areas of job of the dental hygienist: periodontal disease treatment and prevention, medical assistance, patient care and consultation, and others. Among these areas, the number of words related to medical assistance was the largest, with sixty-six association rules found between the words, and “chi-lyo,” “chigwa,” and “ske-illing” as core words. @*Conclusion@#The public demand for information about the job of dental hygienists was mainly related to “chi-lyo,” “chigwa,” and “ske-illing” as core words, demonstrating that scaling is recognized by the public as the job of a dental hygienist. However, the high demand for information related to treatment and medical assistance in the context of dental hygienists indicates that the job of dental hygienists is recognized by the public as being more focused on medical assistance than preventive dental care that are provided with job autonomy.

Color Change of Esthetic Restorative Materials for Different Staining and Whitening Dentifrices / 치위생과학회지

Background@#As the importance of the esthetic function of teeth increases, the use of esthetic restoration materials and whitening treatment are increasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the color change of esthetic restoration materials upon using staining and whitening toothpaste. @*Methods@#Light curing (LC) packable composite resin, LC flowable resin, LC glass ionomer (GI), and self-curing GI specimens were colored in coffee or curry for three hours a day for seven days. After that, regular toothpaste, whitening toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide, and whitening toothpaste containing activated charcoal were applied for three minutes three times a day for two weeks. Luminosity (L), chromaticity a (a), and chromaticity b (b) were measured using a spectrophotometer once a week. @*Results@#In the coffee-colored group, the change in L2 *a2 *b2 (E2 ) with time was significant (p=0.004), there was no difference for different toothpaste types (p=0.646), and there was significant difference (p＜0.001) for different esthetic restorative materials.The change of E2 in the curry-colored group was significant only for different esthetic restorative materials (p＜0.001). In the coffee-colored group, the L, a, and b values of the light-curing GI showed greater change than other materials after staining and one week after whitening, turning dark, red, and yellow. In the curry-colored group, L did not differ for different materials and times, and a and b showed the greatest difference in light-curing GI after staining and one and two weeks after whitening. @*Conclusion@#The use of whitening toothpaste for two weeks was not different from the use of general toothpaste in the removal of staining or whitening. Since light-curing GI is the most vulnerable to coloration, it is recommended that coloring by food chromogen should be explained in advance, before using light-curing GI for teeth restoration.

The Dentists’ View of Dental Hygienist Duties in Korea / 치위생과학회지

Background@#The number and curriculum of dental hygienists in Korea have dramatically increased. Controversies have since resulted from insufficient job descriptions of the work performed by a dental hygienist. A dentist's perception was examined to legally reflect the actual work of dental hygienists. @*Methods@#Four hundred and nineteen dentists were surveyed about the duties of a dental hygienist. Their views on the career and availability of each job were examined. The duties of the dental hygienist include 13 items in dental treatment preparation, 14 items of radiography, 21 items of preventive dentistry, 6 items of periodontal treatment, 12 items of oral medicine, 12 items of conservative dentistry, 8 items of prosthetics, 10 items of orthodontics, 7 items of oral and maxillofacial surgery, 6 items of implantation, 6 items of impression taking and model fabrication, 5 items of anesthesia and injection, 11 items of management and administrative, and 3 items of self-development. @*Results@#Most of the duties were doable by a dental hygienist. Many dentists reported that managing implants, oral hygiene of special patients, some duties in oral medicine, teeth brightening, making temporary crowns, making individual trays, selecting shades, ligaturing, and precision impressions need ≥3 years of experience. Duties perceived by dentists not to be performed by dental hygienists were reading radiographs (55.4%), suture and stitch out (48.0%), intramuscular injection (36.0%), root planning (27.2%), cementation and removal of prostheses (23.2%), and examining pulp vitality (22.0%). @*Conclusion@#Current laws are to be revised to include, the care provided by dental hygienists and under a physician’s supervision. Flexibility is also needed to cope with rapidly changing dental technology.

Korean Dental Hygienists’ Job Description Based on Systematic Review / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Korean dental hygienists perform various tasks under the supervision of dentists in addition to the tasks listed in the law. Many meaningful studies have been conducted to determine the actual tasks of dental hygienists, but these studies did not show common results due to the differences in research methods or designs. Hence, this study aimed to review the reported data on the tasks of dental hygienists in Korea and to clarify them based on a systematic literature review. @*Methods@#For the literature search, the COre, Standard, and Ideal model presented by the National Library of Medicine was referenced. Seven databases were searched for literatures published in Korea, including PubMed, and Google Scholar. Of the 352 studies found using key words, titles, and abstracts, 46 were finally extracted based on the first and second exclusion criteria. After confirming the tasks of Korean dental hygienists in 46 literatures, 136 tasks were listed and calculated as appearance rate in the literature. @*Results@#The most common tasks in 46 studies were fluoride application (67.2%), radiography (65.4%), scaling (65.4%), sealant (60.7%), patient management and counseling (56.7%), tooth-brushing education (52.2%), impression taking with alginate (50.1%), and making temporary crowns (47.9%). The most mentioned tasks of dental hygienists in public health centers were fluoride application (100%), sealant (100%), oral health education (71.4%), public oral health program evaluation (71.4%), school fluoride mouth-rinsing program (71.4%), water fluoridation (57.1%), tooth-brushing education (57.1%), school oral health programs (57.1%), and public elderly oral health programs (57.1%). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that Korean dental hygienists had 136 tasks by reviewing 46 related studies and that the main job of Korean dental hygienists was oral disease prevention including scaling, sealant, and fluoride application.

Relationship of Oral Bacterial Load Over One Year of Smoking Cessation / 치위생과학회지

BACKGROUND: Smoking exerts an adverse effect on the periodontal tissue by reorganizing the ecosystem of oral microorganisms and is considered to be an important factor in the development of periodontal disease. Although cross-sectional studies on smokers and non-smokers have been attempted to investigate the microbial differences in periodontal oral cavity, only few studies have been conducted to investigate the changes in oral microorganisms during smoking cessation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of bacteria in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) over a period of one year among 11 smokers trying to quit smoking.METHODS: Eleven smokers trying to quit smoking visited the clinic at baseline, two weeks, two months, four months, six months, and 12 months to give saliva and GCF samples. The amounts of 16S rRNA, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, Streptococcus mutans, and Streptococcus sobrinus in saliva and GCF were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan probe assay. The results were analyzed by nonparametric statistical analysis using Friedman test and Spearman correlation coefficient.RESULTS: After cessation of smoking, the amounts of 16S rRNA corresponding to P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and T. denticola in saliva decreased and then again increased significantly. The amount of F. nucleatum 16S rRNA in GCF decreased significantly after smoking cessation. Positive correlations were observed between 16S rRNA and F. nucleatum and between F. nucleatum and T. denticola in saliva and GCF.CONCLUSION: Even if the number of subjects in this study was small, we suggest that smoking cessation may reduce the total bacterial amount and F. nucleatum in GCF. However, the results regarding changes in the microbial ecosystem due to smoking or smoking cessation were inconsistent. Therefore, further in-depth studies need to be carried out.

Characteristics of teeth referred to a dental university hospital for endodontic reason

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of patients and teeth referred to a university dental hospital for endodontic problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January, 2017 to December, 2018, patients who were referred to a university dental hospital for endodontic problem were collected from clinical records. A total of 1171 patient records were analyzed. The status of the referred teeth was divided into three groups according to whether they were treated endodontically based on radiographs and clinical records at the time of referred visit. RESULTS: 69.9% of the referred teeth were maxillary and mandibular first and second molars. The average time from referral to actual visit is 9.03 days and 65.6% of the case referred with referring letter. The most primary reasons of referral were persistent clinical symptom (pain, swelling, and sinus tract) (37.9%), diagnosis difficulty (16.7%), blockage of canal space (13.8%) and difficult tooth anatomy (11.4%). In the case of referral before endodontic treatment, the most primary reason of referral was failure to make a proper diagnosis. If the teeth were referred in the middle of endodontic treatment, the most primary reason of referral was persistent clinical symptom and blockage of canal space. In the case of referral after root canal filling, the most primary reason of referral was persistent clinical symptom. CONCLUSION: In the case of molars, the rate of persistent clinical symptom and blockage of canal space were the most primary reason of referral, and the rate of apical surgery and management of trauma was high in the case of anterior teeth.

The Opinions of Some Dental Hygienists about Improvement of Korean Dental Hygiene Education / 치위생과학회지

This study's aim was to investigate their opinions to improve the educational system for dental hygienists on the basis of their duties as dental hygienists. The qualitative study was conducted among 19 dental hygienists at Daejeon, Korea from July to August 2016. Two researchers followed each subject for working hours in a day and recorded all the tasks and time to take for each task. After one day, the researchers met each subject and conducted face-to-face interviews to investigate the opinions about the dental hygiene curriculum and national board examination. The main duties recognized by more than half of the subjects were oral disease prevention including scaling and dental treatment assistance. The subjects' minority opinion about the main duties included radiography, impression taking, dental implant surgery assistance, orthodontic treatment, patient counseling, dental management and staff management, and oral health education. The most important tasks perceived by the subjects were prosthetic and implant impressions, scaling and implant surgery assistance. The subjects' minority opinion about the most important duties included patient counseling and making temporary crowns. The most difficult tasks answered by the subjects were prosthetic and implant impressions and dental implant surgery assistance. The subjects' minority opinion about it included patient counseling, scaling, and making temporary crowns. They mentioned that their curriculum in college was different from the actual work and the national board examination was not reflective of their real duties. We found out Korean dental hygienists had a lot of roles as dental assistants, dental business managers, and so on. We suggest that the law, curriculum and national board examination for dental hygienists should be revised to be able to reflect the reality of the clinical field.

Elderly Welfare System and Role of Dental Hygienists in Korea and Japan / 치위생과학회지

In accordance with the aged society, oral health care for the elderly is considered important to maintain general health. Although the role of dental hygienists is essential for proper health management of the oral cavity, research on the care system for the elderly people's oral health and on the role of dental hygienists in the field of elderly welfare is still insufficient. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the status of Korean elderly welfare system and dental hygienists by comparing them with those in Japan, a precedent of aged society. First, we compared and investigated the Japanese long-term insurance system, which provides an institutional basis for a long-term care system for the elderly in Korea. Second, the elderly welfare law and care system, focusing on oral care, were examined. Lastly, in elderly care, we analyzed the distinctions between Korea and Japan regarding dental hygienists' role and scope of work. Taken together, as a precedent of aged society, Japan has shown well-specialized and systematic welfare for the elderly compared with Korea. With the development of the welfare system for the elderly in Japan, the role and the workscope of dental hygienists have been expanded to improve quality of life of elderly people, as a key professional for elderly oral care. Therefore, we should perceive the need for improvement of long-term care insurance and the expansion of dental hygienists' work in Korea. In conclusion, these results could be used as basic data for improving the elderly welfare system and developing dental hygienists in Korea.

Clinical Competency of Dental Hygiene Students to Manage Disabled Patients in Some Areas / 치위생과학회지

The demand for medical care and welfare for patients with disabilities is expanding, and healthcare professionals are also increasingly interested in the need for medical care for patients with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the competency of disabled patients' management and the education experience of dental hygiene students, who are the main players of oral health care for disabled patients. A total of 196 students in the dental hygiene department and 3rd and 4th grade students were surveyed using questionnaires. As a result, most of the students had a positive awareness of disabled patients; 84.7% answered with the need to train dental hygienists in specializing in handicapped patients, 76.5% were willing to attend seminars related to disabled patients after graduation, and 71.4% of the students provided dental treatment for patients with disabilities in curriculum and comparative curriculum. The students who provided treatment for disabled patients showed that their competence in most areas of knowledge of disabled patients, oral health education, and oral disease prevention was highly evaluated as significant. The competence of respondents who answered that the theoretical education was sufficient was significantly higher. Based on this, institutional support for the education of dentistry for disabled patients is needed, and sufficient theoretical education and practical training should be offered to foster personnel capable of contributing to the improvement in the oral health of patients with disabilities. In addition, in-depth discussions on the training of dental hygienists specialized in handicapped patients should be conducted.

Predicting the Role of Osteal Macrophages and Osteocytes in Bone Tissue Network Using a Mathematical Modeling / 치위생과학회지

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of osteal macrophages (osteomac) and osteocytes in bone remodeling using a mathematical model. We constructed the bone system with pre-osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and osteomac. Each link of the parameters and ordinary differential equations followed the Graham's model in 2013 except for the parameters of osteomac signaling and osteocytes signaling to link preosteoblasts and osteoblasts. We simulated the changes in each cell and bone volume according to the changes in the parameters of osteomac signaling and osteocytes signaling. The results showed bone volume was unstable and decreased gradually when the effectiveness of osteocytes and osteomac dropped below a certain level. When the parameters of osteomac signaling and osteocytes signaling to link preosteoblasts and osteoblasts had a value less than 1, bone volume increased with the increase in the parameter of osteomac signaling to link preosteoblasts and osteoblasts. Moreover, although the parameter of osteocytes signaling to link preosteoblasts and osteoblasts, increased in case of a small parameter of osteomac signaling, bone volulme decreased. If the parameters of osteomac signaling to link preosteoblasts and osteoblasts were over a certain level, bone volume was positively maintained, despite the parameter of osteocyte signaling to link preosteoblasts and osteoblasts. We suggested the osteomac may affect bone remodeling and may play an important role in bone cell network.

Comparison of the Working Conditions of Dental Hygienists Using Data from Online Job Sites / 치위생과학회지

The shortage of dental hygienists has been a long-standing problem in Korea. Small-scaled dental clinics suffer from a lack of dental hygienists, who seem to prefer working at large-scaled dental clinics. The purpose of this study was to confirm the differences in the working conditions according to the scales of dental clinics. We collected the working information registered via job advertisements through the web-sites of Korean Dental Hygienists Association, Dental Jobs, and Nurse Jobs from July to August 2016. The results were as follows: 96.7% of the advertisements wanted regular workers, while the proportion of part-time workers was the highest (34.8%) in the group with less than 3 employees. The average workdays per week was 5.32±0.55 days, and the group with less than 3 employees had significantly longer workdays than the other groups. The daily working time was 8.99±0.44 hours, and there was no difference among the groups. Night overtime hours were needed by 54.4%, 45.0%, and 31.3% of the groups with of the groups with 4~7 employees, more than 8 employees, and less than 3 employees, respectively. Information regarding annual leave (60.5%), monthly leave (63.9%), half a day off (32.4%) and vacations (43.1%) were presented in the job advertisements, and these proportions were significantly higher by the group with more than 8 employees. Information on overtime pay (14.4%), night-work pay (13.4%), incentives (34.1%), lunches (60.2%), vacation bonuses (33.8%), and self-development (20.4%) were presented in job advertisements. The group with 4~7 employees had significantly higher proportions in severance pay, vacation bonuses, self-development, and major national insurance. It is necessary to consider the improvement of working conditions, diversity of working styles, and welfare of dental hygienists, and it is suggested that small dental clinics provide more precise working conditions.

Effectiveness of a 5-year Community Oral Health Program for the Elderly in Korea / 치위생과학회지

Korea has been running the community oral health program for the elderly, including topical fluoride application and scaling. The aim of this study was to compare the subjective and objective oral health status of 345 participants according to the number of participants in the program and of 37 participants before and after the 5-year program. The survey consisted of an interview questionnaire and oral examinations. Analysis of variance was used to compare the variables of the 345 participants according to the numbers of participants. Paired t-test was used to compare the oral health statuses before and after the 5-year program in 37 subjects. There was no difference in subjective oral health status according to the number of participants in the oral health program in the elderly, including subjective health status, subjective oral health status, satisfaction with oral health, concern about oral health, need of dental treatment, oral pain, tooth sensitivity, subjective periodontal health, and subjective symptoms of periodontitis. The community periodontal index (CPI) of the 1 time participants was significantly higher than that of 3 times, 4 times or 5 times participants in the upper center, lower left, lower center, and lower right areas. There was a significant improvement in CPI from 2.59±1.14 to 1.41±1.54 (p<0.001) and positive oral behavioral change (daily tooth brushing frequency from 2.27±0.73 to 2.54±0.90) before and 5 years after the program. However, the program did not prevent tooth loss as the numbers of the remaining teeth significantly reduced from 23.77±1.84 to 21.95±2.03 over 5 years. We showed that running the community oral health program for the elderly for more than three years might have positive effects on the periodontal health of participants.

Key Food Selection for Assessement of Oral Health Related Quality of Life among Some Korean Elderly / 치위생과학회지

Oral health can influence on diverse food intake, and food intake affect oral health related quality of life. The aim of this study was to select key foods to be able to represent oral health related quality of life in Korea. We used the data of 503 Korean older persons to participate in the oral health promotion programme in 2009. The low consumption or low intake foods with criteria in 2012 National Nutrition Statistics were eliminated among 30 foods of food intake ability (FIA) at first. Decision tree model, correlation analysis, factor analysis, and internal reliablity test were used for oral health related quailty of life (OHRQoL) key food selection. We selected 13 foods-hard persimmon, dried peanut, pickled radish, caramel, rib of pork, glutinous rice cake, cabbage kimchi, apple, yellow melon, boiled chicken meat, boiled fish, mandarin, noodles as OHRQoL Key Foods 13. Thirty foods of FIA and OHRQoL Key Foods 13 displayed the same pattern of variation among sociodemographic groups. In a regression model, both of 30 foods of FIA and OHRQoL Key Foods 13 influenced on oral health impact profile-14. The findings suggest that OHRQoL Key Foods 13 have good reliability and validity and be able to use in oral health survey.

Oral Health Promotion Program for Elderly in Dong-gu, Daejeon: A Case Report / 치위생과학회지

The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea has enforced the oral health promotion program for elderly in Korea. There are the denture delivery program and the fluoride application-scaling program for elderly. Donggu Public Health Center in Daejeon has delivered the fluoride application- scaling program for elderly since the demonstration project in 2009. The official dental hygienists had a prior consultation with Dong-gu branch of Korean Senior Citizens Association in Daejeon. We expanded the program through government office, welfare centers, and nursing homes. The participants were satisfied with the public relations (95.2%), scaling (99.7%), fluoride application (91.5%), toothbrushing education (98.6%), and denture cleaning education (96.6%). After a medial accident with persistent bleeding, the pre-inspection survey about systemic disease and medication was reinforced. The official dental hygienists have agonized over the low participation of the low-income group and the overlap benefit with health insurance benefit of scaling. We suggested it be needed the assessment of the public oral health program to overlap with health insurance benefit.

Influence of the Food Intake Ability and the Number of Remaining Teeth on Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Some Elderly People / 치위생과학회지

Eating supports to gain energy and nutrition and improves quality of life. Ageing affects the food intake ability due to loss of natural teeth and the progressive muscle degeneration. Our objective was to investigate how the food intake ability (FIA) and the remaining teeth could influence on oral health related quality of life in the elderly. This study was performed with 503 elderly subjects living in Daejeon, Korea. The questionnaire with the FIA with 30 Korean food and Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) and oral examination were surveyed. The five groups according to cluster analysis of FIA had the different numbers of remaining teeth and functional posterior teeth with opposing teeth or prosthesis significantly: group 1, 21.78±8.27 and 2.80±2.63; group 2, 16.75±7.87 and 2.16±2.44; group 3, 14.68±9.77 and 1.73±2.30; group 4, 9.93±8.13 and 0.78±1.68; group 5, 10.18±8.37 and 0.51±1.22. The more foods the subjects could masticate, the better oral health related quality of life they had. The medium FIA, soft FIA and the number of remaining teeth could explain 46% of OHIP-14, but hard FIA could not in the multiple regression model. We suggested to develop the oral health program for the elderly to be able to eat the food with medium physical property at least be helpful to improve oral health related quality of life.

Awareness and Need as Factors in an Incremental Oral Health Care Program for Korean Adults / 치위생과학회지

Dental caries and periodontal disease are considered to be chronic, but can be prevented through an incremental oral health program covering all ages. The National Oral Health Program for adults provides oral health exam and scaling, and is covered by national health insurance for those over 20 years of age in Korea. The aim of this study was to collect basic data for developing an oral health program for adults by identifying factors related to awareness and need. The data were obtained by convenience sampling of 303 subjects. The use of dental plaque disclosing agents affected tooth brushing frequency, toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Education on toothbrushing methods affected toothbrushing time and use of oral auxiliary devices. Of those surveyed, 93.1% replied that an incremental oral health program for adults was needed, and 68.0% intended to participate. In a regression model, the factors that had an effect on the perceived need for an oral health program were education level, use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices, and toothbrushing time, and the factors affecting intent to participate were education for prevention of periodontal disease and the use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices. The subjects stated that the following oral health programs were needed: an oral bacteria exam (74.3%), toothbrushing education (71.6%), a bad breath exam (69.3%), education on use of oral hygiene auxiliary devices (46.9%), a dental plaque exam (42.9%) and a saliva exam (37.6%). Oral health education appears to be an important factor for participation in an incremental oral health program.

The Relationship between Dementia and Oral Health in Some Elderly in Daejeon / 치위생과학회지

The elderly population with dementia is rapidly growing in South Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dementia and oral health in 197 subjects aged ≥65 years. The questionnaire included questions on subjective health status, subjective health concern, subjective oral health status and behavior, mastication ability, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaires (KDSQ). Oral examination was conducted by a single dentist to evaluate upper or lower denture use, and determine the numbers of remaining and functioning teeth, including implant and fixed prosthesis. The subjects who required a dementia test (KDSQ-C [cognition] of ≥6) had significant differences in systemic disease prevalence rate, subjective health status, subjective health concern, KDSQ-V (vascular disease) score, KDSQ-D (depression) score, subjective oral treatment need, key food mastication ability and OHIP-14 score compared to the healthy subjects. The proportion of denture wearers, total remaining teeth, total functioning teeth, toothbrushing frequency, oral pain severity, symptoms of periodontal disease, subjective oral health status, and subjective oral health concern showed no significant differences between the two groups. KDSQ-C and OHIP-14 scores showed a strong positive relationship, while KDSQ-C score and total remaining teeth or key food mastication ability showed a weak negative relationship. In the multiple regression analysis, the KDSQ-D, KDSQ-V, and OHIP-14 scores influenced the KDSQ-C scores. We suggest a relationship between oral health and cognitive impairment.