Effects of general and oral health status on dementia in the elderly in some areas

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of general and oral health status on dementia. Methods: Questionnaires were used for the KDSQ-C (Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaires-Cognition) and to investigate the oral health status of the participants. An independent t-test was conducted to analyze the differences between general health and oral health status depending on the normal and suspected dementia groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of general and oral health status on dementia. Results: Regarding the health status of the subjects assessed by the KDSQ-C, the higher the current health status and the higher the exercise status, the lower was the dementia level (p<0.05). During the assessment of oral health conditions in KDSQ-C subjects, dementia was more suspected in subjects with dental decay and periodontal disease than in those without dental decay (p<0.05). Conclusions: Dementia has been confirmed to be closely related to general and oral health conditions. Therefore, oral health-related programs are essential for dementia prevention programs. Since dental hygienists are best suited for providing oral care to older adults with dementia, it is considered essential to reflect their occupation in future national policies.

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