[Self-perception of oral health in older adults from Mexico City].

BACKGROUND

Quality of life related to oral health is assessed through the individual’s self-perceived oral health (SPOH). The objective is to determine SPOH in relation to socio-demographic and health characteristics in older adults beneficiaries from the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) in Mexico City.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. We used data collection with questionnaire and assessment scales related to socio-demographic, health and dependency variables, as well as the visit to the dentist, the use of removable dental prostheses and SPOH. The self-perception means (Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index-GOHAI) were calculated, and we used Student’s t, ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

RESULTS

60.5% were women; the average age of population was 68.23 ± 7.0. GOHAI total mean was 48.07 (48.05-48.08). Compared to their counterparts, people with the next features showed marked improvement in SPOH: of 60-69 years of age, separated or divorced, ≥ 7 years of study, paid work, living alone, no smoking, drinking alcohol, with a good health perception, low weight, no cognitive impairment, no depression, no anxiety, no comorbidity, consumption < 5 drugs, with limitations in basic activities, without limitations in instrumental activities, who did not visit the dentist and who did not use removable prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

The concept of quality of life essentially incorporates the SPOH as a need in the evaluation of health outcomes.