Factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessment of Korean elderly people / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting the assessment of objective and subjective masticatory ability in the elderly, and to evaluate masticatory ability assessment more accurately. METHODS: A total of 112 participants were recruited after oral examination in senior citizen welfare facilities. The participants' masticatory ability was evaluated objectively (Mixing ability index; MAI), and subjectively (Key food intake ability; KFIA). Participants' general characteristics and oral health-related variables were also recorded. Based on masticatory ability assessment, participants were classified as either high or low. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver.23.0 was used for all analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Higher masticatory ability was positively correlated with higher scores on MAI and KFIA. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between MAI and KFIA. When analyzing factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessments, Functional tooth units (FTUs) were revealed as a related factor. In subjective masticatory ability assessment, oral moisture, difficulty in chewing, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were also influential factors. CONCLUSIONS: In order to accurately assess masticatory ability, it is necessary to use both objective and subjective measures. Additionally, to improve the masticatory ability in the elderly, treatment should be provided to improve overall oral health and satisfaction.

The Relationship between Life Stress and Resilience among Dental Hygiene Students / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate life stress and resilience levels, and the relationship between life stress and resilience among dental hygiene students. From July 11, 2016 to July 29, 2016, questionnaires were used to survey dental hygiene students in several areas, after which the data collected from 274 questionnaires were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 for Windows. The results showed a significant negative correlation between life stress and resilience for dental hygiene students in all factors (p<0.05, p<0.001). This means that higher the resilience, the lower the life stress. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance resilience as a preventive dimension and develop associated program to help dental hygiene students cope with life stress.