Validation of the conceptual framework and intervention scope of oral function rehabilitation exercise.

OBJECTIVES: This study used a Delphi survey to define the concept of oral function rehabilitation exercise (OFRE) based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and to categorise intervention domains for community-dwelling older adults. BACKGROUND: While numerous studies have been conducted to improve oral function through exercise interventions, the conceptual definition of oral exercise remains unclear and there is a lack of systematic categorisation of oral exercise intervention domains. METHODS: A preliminary model was developed based on the key findings of 19 papers selected from a prior systematic review. Its validity was confirmed through a Delphi survey conducted twice with eight expert panellists. Consensus was achieved by evaluating the validity of the OFRE conceptual framework, the accuracy of OFRE conceptual definitions, and intervention domains. RESULTS: Through expert consensus, an ICF-based OFRE conceptual framework was developed that includes 21 factors that affect the oral health status of the older adults. The OFRE intervention domain for improving the health status consisted of oral function rehabilitation warm-up exercise, masticatory function exercise, swallowing function exercise, articulatory function exercise, salivary function exercise, and oral function rehabilitation cool-down exercise, and 11 specific intervention methods were derived. CONCLUSIONS: The OFRE intervention can be used for planning and applying successful interventions to improve oral function and life function of older adults.

Edentulous disparities among geriatric population according to the sexual difference in South Korea: a nationwide population-based study.

The proportion aged 60 years or older in the world's population is expected to double by 2050. In general, they have many complex diseases and poor oral health status. Oral health is one of the important health indicators of elderly people and it is affected by diverse factors, such as socioeconomic status. In this study, sexual difference was considered as an associated factor that is closely related to edentulism. The sexual difference might be more influential within the geriatric population because of lower economic and educational backgrounds at this stage. Edentulism was significantly higher among elderly females than males when combined with the education level. The lower the level of education, the higher the prevalence of edentulism as much as 24 ~ 28 times, especially in females (P = 0.002). These findings suggest a more complex relationship between oral health, socioeconomic status, and sexual difference.

Does the Registered Dentists' Program Alleviate the Socioeconomic Gap in the Use of Dental Sealants?

Many countries provide preventive dental care for children to reduce inequalities. In Korea, the registered dentists' program was implemented to promote oral health and prevent oral diseases in primary school students. This study aimed to evaluate the registered dentist program through the sealant utilization rate using national cohort data and to compare the socioeconomic gap of the cohorts by participation. The sample cohort data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Sharing Service (NHISS) in South Korea. The utilization of dental sealants was analyzed using the chi-square test according to the independent variables of each year. To identify the independent effects of participation in the registered dentists' program, a panel logistic regression analysis of the utilization of dental sealants was performed. The participants were 1.35 times more likely to have dental sealants than non-participants. The significance of income quintiles disappeared in the case groups. The gap became more obvious in the employees of the control group even after adjusting for all variables. Implementing oral health programs can alleviate inequality with a relative increase in utilization in vulnerable populations.