The influence of functional oral health literacy on perceived oral health status in Korean adults / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to analyze the effect that oral health literacy of adults has on perceived oral health state and to identify the factors that affect perceived oral health status. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire survey was distributed to 554 adults who lived in the Daegu or Gyeongbuk areas and visited dental institutions located in the Daegu area. For adults who were 60 years old or older, direct interviews were conducted. Statistical analysis was performed with t-tests, analysis of variance, and multiple regression using SPSS RESULTS: Between oral health literacy and perceived oral health status, a significant positive correlation was revealed (r=0.142, P<0.01). A significant positive correlation was revealed between oral health literacy and knowledge (r=0.397, P<0.01). A significant but weakly positive correlation was revealed between oral health knowledge and perceived oral health status (r=0.086, P<0.05). To identify factors affecting perceived oral health status, multiple regression analysis was conducted, and the result showed that oral health literacy was a statistically significant factor (β=0.105, p<0.05). Among general characteristics, age was a statistically significant negatively affecting factor, as it showed a negative relationship with perceived oral health status (β=−0.140, P=0.001, adjusted R2=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: When these study results are taken into consideration, oral health literacy is a factor affecting perceived oral health status, and as such, oral health literacy of the research targets should be taken into consideration when implementing oral health education to promote oral health.

The effect of xerostomia on perceived oral health among Hansen's people wearing dentures / 나학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study examined xerostomia of Hansen's people wearing dentures, their perceived oral health as well as how their general characteristics and xerostomia affected their perceived oral health. METHODS: total of 100 subjects, who were 65 years or older and used in the sorokdo national hospital, were enrolled in this study. A survey and oral examination were carried out through a separate interview from July 1 through to July 30, 2015. A x2-test, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data using the SPSS program. RESULTS: The number of natural teeth in the group of people under and over 74 was 9.92 and 7.01, respectively. The percentage of elderly people who were complete and partial dentures was 45,9% and 39.4% respectively. 48.2% and 31.1% of the elderly adults perceived their oral health to be moderate and poor, respectively. Regarding xerostomia, the subjects achieved a mean of 7.87 out of a maximum 12 points. Moreoverthose who were older and had fewer natural teeth felt that their xerostomia was more severe. The subjects xerostomia and perceived general health had a significant impact on their perceived oral health. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need for oral health programs to help hansen's people retain more of their natural teeth.