Perceived oral health and oral health behaviours among home‐dwelling older people with and without domiciliary care

Abstract

Objectives The aim was to compare the perceived oral health and oral health behaviours of home‐dwelling older people with and without domiciliary care. Background Oral health is poor in long‐term care, but less is known about perceived oral health of home‐dwelling older people receiving domiciliary care. Materials and methods Data from the Health 2000 and Health 2011 surveys (BRIF8901) were used. Interview participants were at least 70 years old and living at home with or without domiciliary care (n = 1298 in 2000 and n = 1027 in 2011). Differences in perceived oral health (subjective oral health, pain, eating difficulties) and oral health behaviours (hygiene, use of services) were compared based on the use of domiciliary care and stratified by gender. Differences between groups were compared with the chi‐square test. Results In 2011, compared to non‐clients, domiciliary care clients more often had poor subjective oral health (40.3% vs. 28.9%, P = .045). In both surveys, they also used oral health services less recently (2000, 76.4% vs. 60.9%; and 2011, 61.1% vs. 46.6%) and more often had difficulties chewing hard food (2000, 50.6% vs. 34%, P < .001; and 2011, 38.4% vs. 20.7%, P < .001) than non‐clients. In 2000, clients had more difficulty eating dry food without drinking (39.5% vs. 21.6%, P < .001) and cleaning their teeth and mouth (14.3% vs. 1.1%, P < .001) than non‐clients. Women clients in 2011 brushed their teeth less often than non‐clients (43.5% vs. 23.7%, respectively, P = .001). Conclusion Domiciliary care clients have poorer perceived oral health, and greater difficulties with eating and oral hygiene maintenance than non‐clients.

Oral health‐related quality of life among home‐dwelling older people with and without domiciliary care

“…Furthermore, impaired functional ability of domiciliary care clients 18 increases the probability of poorer oral health and oral hygiene 6,22 . This is further supported in previous research, where domiciliary care clients reported more tooth loss while also having poorer perceived oral health and oral health habits than older people without domiciliary care 23 …”

Oral health of homebound older adults followed by primary care: a cross sectional study

“…The results of this study reinforce the literature on the precarious oral health condition of the older adult population in general 13 , and especially of those homebound 10,15 , who have a worse selfperception of oral health and more difficulties in eating and chewing when compared to those that are not homebound 15 . This scenario is the result of an oral health care model that excludes the older adult population group, with little preventive care, focused on curative procedures, and mutilating dental elements, combined with individual habits and behaviors that are harmful throughout life 13 .…”

“…Limited access to oral health services throughout life increases the risk and severity of oral diseases, with compromised overall health 13 . The oral situation of older adults becomes even more serious for those who are homebound, because, in addition to the oral health demands, there are barriers related to physical limitations, cognitive impairment, and dependence on others, resulting in reduced access to dental services 10,14 , worse oral health status, and greater need for care 10,15,16 .…”

Saúde bucal de pessoas idosas domiciliadas acompanhadas na atenção primária: estudo transversal

“…Os resultados deste estudo reforçam o apontado na literatura sobre a precariedade da condição de saúde bucal da população idosa em geral 13 , e especialmente dos domiciliados 10,15 , os quais apresentam pior autopercepção da saúde bucal e mais dificuldades de alimentação e mastigação quando comparados aos não domiciliados 15 . Esse cenário é resultado de um modelo de atenção à saúde bucal excludente do grupo populacional idoso, pouco preventivo, centrado em práticas curativas e mutilador de elementos dentais, aliado a hábitos e comportamentos individuais, prejudiciais ao longo da vida 13 .…”