Relation between Oral Health Status and GOHAI in Japanese Adults

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the oral health status and the oral health-related quality of life measured by General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Methods: The oral health examination and GOHAI were conducted to 460 residents aged 40-55 years (156 males, 304 females) who visited dental clinics in Akita Prefecture, Japan. The oral health status examined were decayed teeth, missing teeth, filling teeth, periodontal status (gingival bleeding, calculus and pocket depth). Also examined were oral malodor, oral dryness, oral hygiene status (teeth, tongue), and functional tooth unit (FTU) which was defined as pairs of occluding posterior teeth. GOHAI score was divided into two groups (53 or lower, 54 or higher) according to the mean score of this age group in Japan. Logistic regression analysis was performed with GOHAI score as a dependent variable and age, gender and oral health status (11 items) as explanatory variables. Results: The mean GOHAI score was 53.6±6.1. The mean numbers of decayed teeth, missing teeth and filling teeth were 1.6, 2.7 and 13.8 respectively. The mean numbers of teeth with gingival bleeding, calculus and pocket depth of more than 5mm were 5.9, 8.6 and 1.3 respectively. The mean number of FTU was 10.3. Logistic regression analysis showed that decayed teeth, missing teeth and FTU were significantly associated with GOHAI. Subjects with 11-12 FTUs had higher GOHAI scores compared with those of 0-10 FTUs (OR=1.82). Other oral health status had no significant effects on GOHAI score. Conclusion: This study showed that dental caries, missing teeth and FTU affected the oral health-related quality of life, whereas periodontal disease, oral malodor, oral dryness and oral hygiene did not. Preventing dental caries, maintaining natural teeth and keeping posterior occlusion are suggested to be important for enjoying high quality of life.