The Study of Oral Health Status and Its Related Quality of Life in Elderly People Supported by Welfare Organization in Ardabil City

Background & aim:

Considering the increasing trend of elderly population in recent years and the fact that oral health is an integral part of general health, this study aimed to assess the oral health status and its related quality of life among elderly people living in hospices under support of Ardabil’s welfare organization.

In this descriptive-correlational study, 144 elderly people over 60 years old, living in hospices, were included in the study. A questionnaire was used for data collection with three parts: Demographic form, World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment Form, and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14Per). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one sample T-test, ANOVA and linear regression in SPSS version 24.

The results of one-sample T-test showed that the elderly in Ardabil have an inappropriate status in all aspects of oral health-related quality of life (p<0.05). In addition, regression analysis found a significant relationship between oral health status and oral health-related quality of life in elderly people (p<0.05).

The results of this study showed that the elderly people living in hospices under the supervision of Ardabil’s welfare organization are in a poor status regarding oral health and oral health-related quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary for healthcare providers to pay more attention to this group regarding their oral health and quality of life.