Self-reported oral health and oral health-related quality of life among older adults receiving home care services in South-eastern Norway.

OBJECTIVE

To map self-reported oral health status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and associated factors among older adults receiving home care services (HCS) in south-eastern Norway.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, older adult users of HCS, aged ≥ 65 years were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Information about demographics, number of medicines, and Activity of Daily Living (ADL-score) was obtained. Self-reported oral health status and subjective dry mouth (Summated Xerostomia Inventory-Duch version, SXI-D) were assessed. OHRQoL was measured using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14).

RESULTS

Of 116 participants (mean age 83 years), 52.6% were female. Half of the participants reported missing < 5 of their natural teeth and 6.9% were edentulous. Pain and discomfort were reported by 16.4%, and subjective dry mouth was common (40.7%). Poor oral health status was reported by 8.6%, and experiencing problems or discomfort fairly often or very often was reported by 20.7%. Good self-perceived oral health was reported by 61%. Younger (< 75 years) and less dependent (ADL < 2) individuals and those missing ≥ 5 natural teeth reported a negative impact on OHRQoL more often.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of older adults receiving HCS in Norway retain most of their natural teeth, few are edentulous and xerostomia is common. Younger and less dependent individuals and those missing ≥ 5 natural teeth reported a negative impact on OHRQoL more often.