Poor oral hygiene and diseases of the teeth and oral tissues can affect all aspects of patients' lives. The aim of the study was to determine the subjective assessment of oral and general health and their impact on the quality of life in elderly patients. The research included 46 patients, geriatric center users, who were asked questions from a three-part questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire referred to the basic sociodemografic data. The second part of the questionnaire was the modified Oral Impacts of Daily Performance (OIDP), followed by an assessment of general and oral health by the patient. Likert's five-step scale (1 - 5) determined the frequency and intensity of the difficulties encountered, as well as the subjective assessment of the state of health. Based on the modified OIDP questionnaire, we found that all patients had some difficulties due to oral complaints. Even 86.96% of patients, due to with the existence of oral symptoms, experienced eating disorders, difficulties in enjoying food, laughing and showing teeth without any discomfort, as well as enjoying socializing with other people. Patients with partial edentulism had higher OIDP scores than edentulous patients. OIDP scores did not depend on sex, marital status, or on the educational structure of patients. Respondents with serious difficulties had a statistically significantly higher need for dental interventions. Improvement of oral health and frequent dental examinations could improve the functions of the orofacial system, the appearance and self-confidence of patients, which would have a positive impact on their social life.
References
1.
Kristjansson EA, Desrochers A, Zumbo B. Translating and adapting measurement instruments for cross-linguistic and crosscultural research: A guide for practitioners. Can J Nurs Res. 2003;35(2):127–42.
2.
Fiske J, Griffiths J, Jamieson R, Manger D. Guidelines for Oral Health Care for Long‐stay Patients and Residents. Gerodontology. 2000;17(1):55–64.
3.
Paulsson G, Söderfeldt B, Nederfors T, Fridlund B. Nursing personnel’s views on oral health from a health promotion perspective: a grounded theory analysis. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2002;60(1):42–9.
4.
Gonzalez E, Nathe C, Logothetis D, Pizanis V, Sanchez‐Dils E. Training caregivers: disabilities and dental hygiene. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2013;11(4):293–7.
5.
Sonde L, Emami A, Kiljunen H, Nordenram G. Care providers’ perceptions of the importance of oral care and its performance within everyday caregiving for nursing home residents with dementia. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. 2011;25(1):92–9.
6.
Paulsson G, Fridlund B, Holmén A, Nederfors T. Evaluation of an oral health education program for nursing personnel in special housing facilities for the elderly. Special Care in Dentistry. 1998;18(6):234–42.
7.
Herriman G, Kerschbaum W. Oral hygiene care and education needs in long-term care facilities in Michigan. Dent Hyg. 1990;174:196–8.
8.
Dunnell K, Cartwright A. Medicine takers, prescribers and hoarders. 1972.
9.
Gerson LW. Expectations of “sick role” exemptions for dental problems. 1972;38(10):370–2.
10.
Gerritsen AE, Allen PF, Witter DJ, Bronkhorst EM, Creugers NH. Tooth loss and oral health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. 2010;8(1):126.
11.
Fuentes‐García A, Lera L, Sánchez H, Albala C. Oral health‐related quality of life of older people from three South American cities. Gerodontology. 2013;30(1):67–75.
12.
Rabbo MA, Mitov G, Gebhart F, Pospiech P. Dental care and treatment needs of elderly in nursing homes in Saarland: perceptions of the homes managers. Gerodontology. 2012;29(2).
13.
Stancic I, Petrovic M, Popovac A, Vasovic M, Despotovic N. Caregivers’ attitudes, knowledge and practices of oral care at nursing homes in Serbia. Vojnosanitetski pregled. 2016;73(7):668–73.
14.
Naito M, Kato T, Fujii W, Ozeki M, Yokoyama M, Hamajima N, et al. Effects of dental treatment on the quality of life and activities of daily living in institutionalized elderly in Japan. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2010;50(1):65–8.
15.
Tsakos G, Marcenes W, Sheiham A. Evaluation of a modified version of the index of Oral Impacts On Daily Performances (OIDP) in elderly populations in two European countries. Gerodontology. 2001;18(2):121–30.
16.
Stancic I, Kulic J, Tihacek-Sojic L, Stojanovic Z. Applicability of a Serbian version of the “Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP)” index - assessment of oral health-related quality of life. Vojnosanitetski pregled. 2012;69(2):175–80.
17.
Kuo HC, Chen JH, Wu JH, Chou TM, Yang YH. Application of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) among Taiwanese elderly. Quality of Life Research. 2011;20(10):1707–13.
18.
Erić J, Stančić I, Tihaček‐Šojić L, Kulić L, Popovac A, Tsakos G. Prevalence, severity, and clinical determinants of oral impacts in older people in <scp>B</scp>osnia and <scp>H</scp>erzegovina. European Journal of Oral Sciences. 2012;120(5):438–43.
19.
Petrovic M, Stancic I, Popovac A, Vasovic M. Oral health-related quality of life of institutionalized elderly in Serbia. Vojnosanitetski pregled. 2017;74(5):402–9.
20.
Lajnert V, Grzic R, Radica N, Snjaric D, Spalj S. Translation and validation of the Croatian version of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) scale. Vojnosanitetski pregled. 2016;73(9):811–6.
21.
Seenivasan M, Banu F, Inbarajan A, Natarajan P, Natarajan S, Anand Kumar V. The Effect of Complete Dentures on the Quality of Life of Edentulous Patients in the South Indian Population Based on Gender and Systemic Disease. Cureus. 2019;
22.
Vogt D, Schaeffer D, Messer M, Berens EM, Hurrelmann K. Health literacy in old age: results of a German cross-sectional study. Health Promotion International. 2018;33(5):739–47.
23.
Locker D, Allen F. What do measures of ‘oral health‐related quality of life’ measure? Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2007;35(6):401–11.
24.
Tsakos G. Inequalities in Oral Health of the Elderly: Rising to the Public Health Challenge? Journal of Dental Research. 2011;90(6):689–90.
25.
Hebling E, Pereira AC. Oral health‐related quality of life: a critical appraisalof assessment tools used in elderly people. Gerodontology. 2007;24(3):151–61.
26.
Rebelo MAB, Cardoso EM, Robinson PG, Vettore MV. Demographics, social position, dental status and oral health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. Quality of Life Research. 2016;25(7):1735–42.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
,
