TO ASSESS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH STATUS AND DIETARY INTAKE AND ITS IMPACT ON ORAL HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY POPULATION IN KANPUR: A CROSS – SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Around 11.5% of the world's population is 60 years of age or older. Numerous
elements of general health can be affected by dental disease, and health issues can also have an effect on oral health. Elderly people have a higher risk of tooth loss, edentulism, periodontal disease, untreated dental caries, mucosal lesions, and xerostomia are all related to tooth loss.
According to the previous study, residential care facilities for the elderly had the worst oral
health problems. With this context, we set out to evaluate the association between dietary intake and oral health status as well as how it affects quality of life connected to oral health.
Methodology: - A cross- sectional study was conducted among 400 participants in all the old
age homes registered with the Department of Social Welfare, Kanpur Nagar. The oral health
status was evaluated by using WHO oral health assessment form (2013) and OHRQoL was
assessed using GOHAI-12, OHIP-14 and the association between Dietary Intake and OHRQoL
was assessed. The results were analysed using SPSS Version 23.0.
Results: About 40% (160) participants were edentulous. Caries and missing teeth prevalence
was also high. About 56% (224) participants never visited dentists before. Participants who
interrupt meals due to their oral health problems were 33.8% (135). 50% (200) participants were uncomfortable in eating food. About 42.3% (169) were having pain in their mouth at some time.
Conclusion: Institutionalized elderly showed higher prevalence of poor oral health status and
unmet needs for dental care that were associated with poor OHRQoL. Dietary intake was
reduced in the presence of poor oral health. Therefore, it is necessary to improve health and
social importance of oral health care for institutionalized elderly.