Validation of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index in Finland: A Questionnaire Study

The aim of this study was to translate and validate the GOHAI Finnish version from the original English version. As the population ages rapidly, there is a growing prevalence of oral health issues among older adults, leading to a higher demand for oral health care services. Using tools like the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) can effectively gather information on these oral health challenges among older individuals.

Translation of the original GOHAI version was performed by a forward-backward process and tested by a questionnaire in three cities in southern and Eastern Finland in 2020-2021. Reliability was assessed by measuring internal consistency and validity through convergent validity, discriminant validity, and known-group validity.

A total of 209 participants aged 65 years or over (84 males and 125 females) completed the GOHAI questionnaire. The mean GOHAI-ADD score (±SD) was 49.9 ± 6.2 (range 31-60). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the Finnish version of GOHAI was 0.79, indicating a high level of internal consistency. Item-total score correlations were between 0.26 and 0.63. The use of removable dentures, perceived need for oral health care, and toothache or other problems with teeth or dentures were associated with poorer oral health-related quality of life, whereas good self-perceived oral health was associated with better oral health-related quality of life.

The Finnish version of the GOHAI showed good reliability and moderate validity among older people who had sought oral health care. However, the study design, including its cross-sectional nature, reliance on a convenience sample, and the absence of clinical examinations, limits the generalizability of the findings to all older adults in Finland.