Preliminary study for the development of a visiting oral health care intervention program for the elderly based on community healthcare
10.11149/jkaoh.2020.44.3.166
- Author:
Jong-Hwa JANG
1
;
Ja-Won CHO
;
Yeo-Ju KIM
;
Ji-Yun KI
;
Kyung-Sook JO
;
Ji-Ryang KIM
;
Jung-Eun PARK
;
Da-Hui KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2020;44(3):166-172
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Objectives:We evaluated the level of oral health status and oral health behavior in the elderly prior to their participation in a visiting oral health care intervention program as part of a community healthcare project in Cheonan city, South Korea.
Methods:The oral hygiene conditions, oral health behaviors, and oral senility of 64 elderly people subject to community care were measured during the period January 1 to February 15, 2020 using dental health surveys and questionnaire-based interviews conducted in line with World Health Organization standard criteria.
Results:The systematic disease retention rate of the elderly in this study was 90.6%, followed by hypertention (70.7%), and diabetes (51.7%). Scores were 1.69 out of 5 for subjective health evaluation, 1.8 out of 5 for subjective awareness of oral health, and the number of natural teeth was 14.9 per person (average mean for elderly people 18.38-19.34). During the day, 94.9% practiced brushing, after dinner 58.9%, and before bedtime 26.8%, which shows a diminished rate of practice. The percentage of participants dissatisfied with dental treatment was high at 67.2%, and the six measures of oral sensitivity, masticatory discomfort, pronunciation discomfort, and tongue pressure, presented less than average scores.
Conclusions:The level of oral health and oral health behavior of the elderly prior to the visiting oral health care community intervention program, was very poor. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that there is a need to develop a more systematic and thorough strategy to activate visiting community oral health care intervention programs.
