The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between objective oral health status determined by dentists, self-perceived subjective oral health status, and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the elderly. The related factors affecting OHRQoL in the elderly were also surveyed. Four hundred and thirty elderly individuals who visited the three public health centers and four dental clinics in Busan were selected by convenience sampling. Twelve dental hygienists investigated the subjective oral health status and OHRQoL using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and twentyone dentists examined the objective oral health status, including healthy remaining teeth, treated remaining teeth, functional remaining teeth, missing teeth, and non-treated missing teeth. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 12.0. OHRQoL was higher when oral and periodontal status was perceived as healthy, when there was no toothache, no interference in mastication, and when study subjects had the ability of food softening. It was also higher when study subjects had ≥20 remaining teeth and ＜9 missing teeth, and were wearing denture. The related factors affecting OHRQoL of the elderly were the type of medical insurance, toothache, ability of food softening, perception of periodontal status, and the number of healthy remaining teeth. There was a significant relationship between the subjective-objective oral health status and OHRQoL in the elderly. A continuous oral health care system aimed at retaining ≥20 healthy remaining teeth is needed to improve oral health and OHRQoL for the elderly, especially for the elderly receiving medical aid.

Background: Sleep disorder is a precursor to depression, which is one of the psychological factors associated with periodontal disease that, in turn, affects general and periodontal health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep duration, depression, and periodontitis in older people aged over 65 years. Methods: A total of 2,002 older adults aged 65 years or older were included in the study. Their general and health aspects, including smoking, drinking, diabetes, hypertension, and depression, were investigated. Periodontitis was examined using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Data were analyzed through a complex sampling design method. Frequency and crossover analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between depression and periodontitis. To investigate the effect of depression on periodontitis, a logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Regarding depression and participants' general characteristics, statistically significant differences were found in sex, economic activity, smoking habit, and CPI (p＜0.05). In the presence of depression, the odds ratio for periodontitis was 1.84, and the adjusted odds ratio for age, sex, economic activity, residence type, household income, education level, smoking habit, drinking, hypertension, and diabetes was 1.72, representing a significant difference (p＜0.05). Conclusion: This study examined the relationship between depression and periodontitis in older persons and confirmed a significant correlation. As the population of older adults increases, we should pay attention to their mental and oral health as well as systemic diseases. Various programs for the health promotion of older persons need to be implemented to improve the quality of life of older people.

Background: To clinically evaluate the efficacy and safety of a primer that contains taurine and self-bleaching patches containing 3.0% hydrogen peroxide.Methods: Overall, 55 participants were selected in this double-blinded randomized clinical trial between March and May 2019. Bleaching patches containing 3.0% hydrogen peroxide were attached using the primer on the labial surface of the upper six anterior teeth for 30 min once daily. △E* values of color changes were measured using Shade Eye NCC for determining the efficacy of bleaching on days 3, 5, 7, and 10 before and after attachment. The safety was assessed using gingival index and visual analog scale for tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation, respectively.Results: △E* values were visibly detected from day 7 after the attachment of patches, and the bleaching effect was identifiable. No statistically significant difference was observed in the gingival index (p = 0.069), tooth sensitivity (p = 0.983), and gingival irritation (p = 0.518).Conclusions: When the self-bleaching patches using 3.0% hydrogen peroxide with the primers were attached for 30 min once daily, visible bleaching effect was observed from day 7 of attachment, and it was verified to be safe for use without any significant adverse effect.Clinical Relevance: This study was conducted after securing safety for clinical trials.Trial registration: ISRCTN63650330