Social determinants and oral health conditions in the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: In older adults, the social determinants of health directly influence the health-disease process; oral health is no exception. Objective: Determine the behavior of social determinants and oral health conditions in older adults. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 221 individuals aged 60 years and over from office 19, La Demajagua, in June 2024. Questioning and clinical examination of the oral cavity were used, with prior informed consent of the participants and caregivers. The variables studied were: age, sex, occupation, economic well-being, family functioning, housing conditions, eating habits and oral health conditions. Results: The most represented age group was 60 to 74 years old with 72,8 %, with a predominance of males. Only 32,6 % of older adults worked and 11,8 % had good oral health conditions. 56,1 % of those examined reported not having economic well-being, and 73,8 % presented a regular oral health condition. Dysfunctional families predominated in 56,6 %, 46,2 % living in homes with regular conditions and 58,8 % with inadequate eating habits. Conclusions: The unfavorable behavior of the analyzed determinants reveals their negative influence on the oral health condition of older adults.