Investigation Of Oral Health Among Elderly People Of Haikou City

ObjectiveThe purpose of the research is to survey the oral health as well as the knowledge, attitude, practice and tendency on the oral health among the elderly in Haikou. It will also analyze the oral health-related quality of life and the main influencing factors among the elderly in Haikou, thus providing the baseline material and scientific basis for the work plan on the oral healthcare and disease prevention for the elderly by the local government and health authority.MethodsThe multi-stage stratified random sampling has been adopted. A total of 875 old people aged 65 or above in Haikou have received the examination for oral health. The self-made questionnaire for the general condition, the KAP survey (knowledge, attitude and practice on oral health) and the influencing degree of oral health (OHIP-14, Chinese version) have been carried out.Results1. The prevalence rate of total dental caries was 79.1%. The detection rate of the gingival bleeding, dental calculus and periodontal pocket among those old people have come to 57.8%,83.5% and 24.0%. The difference of the coronal caries DF between gender was statistically significant (Z=-2.953,P= 0.003),the female has remained at a higher level than the male. The difference of the detection rate of periodontal pocket between gender was statistically significant (?2=6.321,P=0.012), the male has remained at a higher rate than the female. The coronal caries DMFT of those old people without the spouse have been higher than that of the elderly with the spouse, with the difference of statistical significance (Z=-2.006,P= 0.046). The elderly with the drinking habit has a higher detection rate of periodontal pocket, with the difference of statistical significance (?2=6.494,P=0.011). The difference of the detection rate of the gingival bleeding, dental calculus, periodontal pocket, periodontal attachment loss and the dental caries prevalence among different level of education and family economic was not statistically significant, also the oral health-related quality of life was.2.73.8% of the old people have the habit of gargle after meal, 41.7% of the old people use toothpaste for fluoride toothpaste,11% of the elderly can use dental floss to maintain oralhealth.61.6% of the elderly will brush their teeth more than twice a day, and the difference between gender was statistically significant (?2=9.326,P=0.002), the female has remained at a higher level than the male. Oral health services needs and demand is inconsistent,49% of the elderly want oral examination once a year, in fact, only 28% of the elderly had visited dentist in the past year. Most of the elderly choose lower level and private hospitals or community hospitals, to accept the relatively simple, inexpensive, and low levels of dental services. More than 60% of the elderly are not satisfied with their teeth, dental treatment is mainly due to acute and chronic toothache. The elderly with a higher educational level and better family economy will outperform others in terms of the knowledge, attitude and practice on the oral health.3. The total average score for OHIP-14 is 14.30+10.13, the average score for the pain and discomfort is highest, which is the otherwise for the psychological discomfort. The difference of the total scores among gender, different level of education and family economic was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The difference of the mean score of the following four dimensions(independent ability weakened,psychological discomfort,physical discomfort,pain and discomfort) among gender, different level of education and family economic was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The result of multiple linear regression analysis showed that affect factors of oral health-related quality of life were the monthly salary, dental satisfaction degree and the use of fluoride-containing toothpaste. Self-reported teeth healthier, for teeth satisfaction is higher, oral health related quality of life score is lower, the higher the oral health-related quality of life.ConclusionIn conclusion, the current status of the oral health among the elderly in Haikou is far from optimistic in the face of those problems including the limited knowledge on the oral health, the average attitude on the oral health, the improper practice on oral health. The oral health-related quality of life of the elderly were poor in Haikou. Due to the multiple factors influencing the oral health of the elderly, comprehensive measures should be taken for oral disease prevention. To be more specific, great efforts should be made to instruct the elderly on the importance of oral health, promote the healthy lifestyle as well as spread the knowledge on oral health. Moreover, the primary system for oral health service should be built and improved to enhance the treatment of oral disease and improve the oral health-related quality of life for the elderly.