Evalualtion on OHIP of the elderly who experienced oral prophylaxis

Objectives: The aging society makes many progressive diseases such as chronic periodontal disease. So, there is an increasing necessity to oral health care. Oral health care for the elderly is very important for improving the quality of life.National pollices of aged country has need to support community preventive measures to preserve oral health in the eldlerly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the low-income sample awareness after experienced oral prophylaxis at public health centers.

Methods: The study surveyed 319 post treatment patients over 65 years of age at 6 of 22 public health centers in Jeonnam province in 2007. The participants composed of 167 expericenced oral prophylaxis(EOP)and 152 non expericenced oral prophylaxis(NEOP).

Participants has interviewed simple oral health test and self-awareness questionnaires including short form oral health impact profile(OHIP).The relationship of oral prophylaxis with/without and OHIP sub scale factors was analyzed by chi-sqare test,T-test etc.

Results:The group of EOP, 21.2% did not use dentures and 26% had more than 20 teeth (p<0.05).The group of EOP was reduced to a score of 3.5-3.7 for tooth hypersensitivity and dry mouth on the OHIP subscale. On the physical pain and disability of OHIP subscale score, the group of EOP was 0.5 points lower than the NEOP(P<0.05)and has a good periodontal condition.

Conclusions: The results indicate that those participants who have experienced oral prophylaxis has satisfactory mastication and a higher quality of life than a non experienced oral prophylaxis. Continued oral prophylaxis should be expanded at the health care centers to improve senoir oral health.