Oral health-related quality of life of institutionalized elderly in Satara District, India

Abstract

Context: Almost in every country, the proportion of people aged over 60 years is growing rapidly than any other age group as a result of both longer life expectancy and declining fertility rates. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the oral health status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the dental care utilization of institutionalized and homebound elderly in Satara district, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the 150 institutionalized elderly participants of Satara district. Type 3 clinical examination was done to detect dental caries, missing tooth, periodontal diseases, and any other oral findings followed by interview with elderly patients. A questionnaire was administered to assess OHRQoL according to the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), dental visiting pattern, and sociodemographic and self-perceived oral health status of elderly. The descriptive and analytic statistics were used to analyze the data; Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was performed to determine the prevalence of poor OHRQoL by independent variables. Results: Poor OHRQoL according to GOHAI was observed among 64.7% of the men and 67.1% of the women, and there was no statistically significant difference observed. In community periodontal index, 42.6% of men and 36.6% of women had all sextants excluded, and of those remaining, 95.6% of men and 96.3% of women needed one or other periodontal treatment. Regarding decayed, missing, and filled teeth index, mean was 22.5 in men and 24.2 in women. Conclusion: Institutionalized elderly with 65 years and older showed higher prevalence of poor oral health status and unmet needs for dental care that were associated with poor OHRQoL. Therefore, it is necessary to improve health and social importance of oral health care for elderly.