Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to contribute to the prevention of dental diseases and health care in the elderly by investigating the relationship among the experiences of chronic diseases, dental health status, and the behaviors in the Korean elderly people. Methods: A total of 2,856 elderly people aged 65 or older were selected as the final analysis subjects using data from the 6th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014). Chronic diseases were defined as ‘cardiocerebrovascular diseases’, ‘diabetes’, ‘chronic respiratory diseases’, and ‘cancer’ diagnosed by the doctors. For the statistical analysis, SPSS 21.0 for Windows was used. Descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were conducted to investigate the relationship among the experiences of chronic diseases, general characteristics, dental health status, and the behaviors in the Korean elderly. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship among the experiences of chronic diseases, dental health status, and the behaviors. Results: The prevalence of Cardiocerebrovascular diseases was significantly higher in the 3-4 group of community periodontal index with the score of 1.36 (95% CI 1.03-1.00) than in the 0-2 group. The prevalence of Cardiocerebrovascular diseases was significantly higher in the group without dental examination during the past one year with the score of 1.29 (95% CI 1.00-1.66). The prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in the uncomfortable speaking state group with the score 1.46 (95% CI 1.12-1.91). The prevalence of cancer was significantly higher in the partial denture needs group with the score 1.67 (95% CI 0.98-2.83). Conclusions: Regular dental examinations and dental health care for the elderly with chronic diseases showed that periodontal health and residual teeth could be maintained and managed. Therefore, continuous customized dental health services should be implemented for the elderly with chronic diseases.
Figures & Tables
Table 1. Experience of chronic disease related to the general characteristics Unit: N (%)
