Is depressive symptomatology associated with worse oral functioning and well-being among older adults?

Although depression negatively affects individuals' physical functioning and well-being, its association with oral functioning and well-being has not been examined previously. The objective of this study was to examine the association between depressive symptomatology and oral quality of life.

We utilized data from two samples of older adults: community-dwelling participants who used community primary care physicians in Los Angeles (n=1,653) and individuals who sought ambulatory care through four Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in the Boston metropolitan area (n=212). Depressive symptomatology was measured with the CES-D scale; Oral Quality of Life was measured with the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Instrument and the Oral Health-related Quality of Life measure. We conducted hierarchical regression analyses to examine the effects of depression on oral quality of life, controlling for self-reported oral health, age, education, income, and marital status.

Individuals with more depressive symptoms reported worse oral quality of life, controlling for sociodemographic factors and self-reported oral health. This finding persisted across multiple samples and both sexes, and using two measures of oral quality of life.

These findings further emphasize the importance of treating depression among older adults, and suggest that both dentists and physicians have a role in recognizing and referring patients for such treatment.