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An index of chewing ability.
1Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry University of Toronto, Ontario.
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|January 1, 1990
Summary
A new index effectively measures chewing ability in older adults for surveys. Poor chewing ability strongly correlates with being edentulous and needing urgent dental care.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Dental Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Assessing chewing ability is crucial for understanding oral health in older adults.
- Existing methods for measuring chewing capacity in epidemiological surveys have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reliable index for assessing chewing ability suitable for large-scale epidemiologic surveys.
- To identify factors associated with chewing disability in an independent older adult population.
Main Methods:
- Reanalysis of existing data from older adults in East York, Ontario.
- Development of a chewing ability index using scalogram analysis based on self-reported ability to chew five foods.
- Statistical analysis including odds ratios (OR) and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- The developed index effectively measured chewing ability, with 77% of the sample reporting maximum ability (score 5).
- Chewing disability (scores 0-4) was significantly associated with being edentulous (OR 4.1).
- Among dentate individuals, the absence of opposing posterior teeth (OR 5.6) and need for urgent care (OR 23.7) were key factors influencing chewing ability.
Conclusions:
- The new chewing ability index is a valuable tool for epidemiologic research.
- Chewing disability in older adults is linked to edentulism and poor dental health status.
- Maintaining natural posterior teeth and addressing urgent dental needs are important for preserving chewing function.