This study aimed to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and associated factors in the elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 287 elderly of Cruz Alta, Brazil. The following variables were collected: age, sex, ethnicity, level of education, marital status, retirement, medical/dental history, smoking/alcohol exposure, oral hygiene habits, use and need of dental prosthesis, missing teeth, temporomandibular disorder symptoms (TMD), nutritional status, and halitosis. OHRQoL was assessed by Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). The sample was categorized into low impact (sum scores ≤6) and high impact (sum scores ≥7). Associations were analyzed by Poisson regression with robust variation. Mean scores of OHIP-14 was 5.92±8.54. Divorced individuals and those who did not use dental floss presented 77% and 54%, respectively, higher prevalence ratio (PR) of having higher OHRQoL impact. Elderly that did not need dental prosthesis demonstrated a lower impact on OHRQoL (P<0.01). Elderly with TMD presented a higher PR of having higher OHRQoL impact (P<0.01). It was concluded that higher impact on OHRQoL was associated with marital status, non-users of dental floss and those with TMD. No need dental prosthesis were associated with lower impact on OHRQoL.

Background By the use of complete or partial dental prosthesis, function, esthetics, and phonetics are reestablished. Few population-based studies are available in the literature using an older adult population. Objective Evaluate the use of and need for dental prostheses and their associated factors. Method This study included a random sample of 287 elderly, in the city of Cruz Alta, Brazil. Use of and need for dental prostheses were the main outcomes, and two analytical models were constructed. Subgroup analyses were performed for individuals using fixed partial denture (FPD) and removable (partial and/or complete) dental prosthesis (RDP). Results Use of and need for dental prosthesis were identified in 83.6% (n=240) and 42.5% (n=122) of the elderly, respectively. Women presented a significantly higher prevalence ratio (PR) for use of dental prostheses (PR=1.15; 95%IC:1.02–1.28) and lower need (PR=0.70; 95%IC:0.54–0.91). No statistically significant difference was demonstrated for the use of FPD regarding the sex. Higher education level was associated with lower use of prostheses (PR=0.73; 95%IC:0.58–0.91) when compared to lower level of education. Medium level of education showed a significantly lower need for dental prostheses (PR=0.61 – 95%IC:0.39–0.94). Those that did not consume alcohol presented with a significantly lower use of FPD and RDP (PR=0.46; 95%IC:0.23–0.93 and 0.90;0.81–0.99, respectively). Conclusion The use of and need for dental prostheses were associated with sex, level of education, and behavioral factors.