Oral and Dental Status, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Institutionalized Elderly in Southeast Iran-A Cross Sectional Study

The incidence of oral and dental lesions increases with age, which can negatively affect the quality of life.The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral and dental status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the associated factors in a population of institutionalized elderly in Southeast Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 institutionalized elderly who were 60 years old or older. Oral examinations were carried out using mirror and probe under proper light. In addition to recording oral lesions, the dental status of the elderly was determined according to the WHO’s criteria. The geriatric oral health assessment index (GOHAI) questionnaire was used to determine OHRQoL. Factors such as age, gender, education, smoking, systemic disease, and the use of denture were recorded for each participant. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistical tests using SPSS software.

Forty three percent of the participants had oral conditions. Fissured tongue was the most common oral lesion. The prevalence of oral lesions in females was more than twice that of males (p <0.001). The mean DMFT was 25.6±7.3, and no relationship was found between DMFT and age, gender, education, smoking or systemic diseases (P>0.05). The mean GOHAI in the elderly was 42.8±9.7. Smoking and the presence of oral lesions significantly decreased OHRQoL (p <0.05).

The oral and dental status and consequently OHRQol of the elderly were relatively poor. The need for planning to promote the oral and dental health care aiming at improving the quality of life should be emphasized in this region.