Evaluating Oral and Dental Health and the RelatedFactors regarding the Elderly in Aliabad City of Golestan Province in 2022

Considering the increasing growth of the elderly population, the importance of their life quality e, and the impact of oral and dental health on their quality of life, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating oral and dental health and the factors affecting it in the elderly of Aliabad city, Golestan province, in 1400.

This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The research population consisted of 216 elderly of over 60 living in Aliabad city of Golestan province in 2022; they were selected through cluster random sampling method. 128 people (59/3 percent) were women and 88 people (40/ 7 percent) were men. This study was conducted from May to September 2022. To collect data, demographic information questionnaire and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were used, whose Persian version was valid and reliable. In addition, the last dental visit, the number of times the mouth was washed, the need for dental treatment, and personal assessment of the individual's oral and dental health status were among the items that were collected and recorded in the form of dental information regarding the elderly. After completing the questionnaires, data were entered into SPSS version 20 software and the analysis was done through descriptive statistics (frequency distribution calculation and central and dispersion indices), one way ANOVA, and t-test.

In the present study, the score of oral and dental health questionnaire regarding the elderly was 49/51±8/67, which was considered satisfactory. This variable had a statistically significant relationship with the number of mouth washes (p=0/02) , personal evaluation of mouth condition (p=0/01), and the number of teeth (p<0/001). While there was no significant relationship regarding education level (p=0/26), place of residence (p=0/072), gender (p=0/56), employment status (p=0/63), income level (p=0/062), smoking (p=0/23) and the last dental visit (p=0/28),and the presence or absence of dentures (p=0/62) did not show a significant difference.

Although the quality of life score related to the oral health of the elderly in Aliabad city was satisfactory, there is still roome to improve this score. Prevention strategies for chronic diseases and high blood pressure, re-emphasizing oral and dental hygiene, and improving related health behaviors should be considered as the most important future programs in this city. Integrating oral and dental health program in the country's public health program and creating a team to promote oral and dental health at primary care level are considered effective and low-cost solutions.