Anterior tooth wear and quality of life in a nursing home population.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which a relationship may exist between the wear of the anterior teeth and quality of life in a population of nursing home residents. A population (n = 100) of nursing home residents (mean age 75.7 years) was recruited all members of which had at least 4 upper and 4 lower anterior teeth and were assessed as cognitively intact by nursing personnel who were familiar with their behavior. The investigator evaluated the level of tooth wear of each subject according to the Tooth Wear Index of Donachie and Walls (Adapted) and then verbally administered the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) of Atchison and Dolan. Analyses did not reveal significant differences in tooth wear between males and females nor between age and GOHAI score; however, tooth wear was positively related to age and inversely related to quality of life. Results suggest that tooth wear is negatively related to quality of life.