Dental status and its impact on the quality of life of elderly in phon sawan, nakhon phanom province

The number of elderly people in Thailand is increasing. Oral health is an important part of overall wellbeing. We studied the impact of oral health on the quality of life among elderly attending Phonsawan Hospital, Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand, in 2010. We studied 107 males and 278 females, aged 60-93 years. We studied the impact of oral health on the quality of life using the Oral Health Impact Profile-49 (OHIP-49) questionnaire. The OHIP-49 questionnaire is divided into seven areas: functional limitations, physical pain, physical disability, psychological discomfort, psychological disability, social disability and handicaps. The data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Seventy-one point nine percent of subjects had untreated dental caries, with the mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth of 10.77. Eighty-nine point one percent of subjects had lost at least 1 tooth and the mean number of missing teeth was 8.22. Sixty-three point six percent of people had tooth attrition and 16.1% of people had a pocket depth of ≥ 6 mm. The mean OHIP-49 was 54.25. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a OHIP-49 score greater than the median of 56 was directly associated with tooth attrition, tooth sensitivity, gingival swelling, oral ulcers, poor oral hygiene and never having received oral hygiene instructions. Community oral health education programs need to be developed and implemented.