Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
13.9K
Exploring the Link Between Oral Health and Self-Care Difficulty in Older Adults
Leah Botkin1, Claire E Altman2
1Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, USA.
OTJR : Occupation, Participation and Health
|March 29, 2026
Summary
Poor oral health and infrequent flossing are linked to difficulties in daily self-care tasks for older adults. Occupational therapists can help improve independence through oral health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- The growing aging population in the United States necessitates strategies for promoting independence and healthy aging.
- Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being and quality of life in older adults.
- Occupational therapists possess the skills to address oral health needs within their scope of practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between oral health status and functional independence in self-care activities among older adults.
- To identify specific oral health indicators that impact the ability of older adults to perform daily self-care tasks.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2011-2018.
- Inclusion of 4,791 participants aged 65 years and older.
- Utilized multivariable logistic regression to determine the odds ratios for self-care difficulty based on oral health variables.
Main Results:
- Poorer self-reported oral health was significantly associated with increased difficulty in performing self-care tasks.
- Less frequent flossing was independently linked to challenges in self-care.
- Factors such as education level, income, and age also showed significant correlations with self-care difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Oral health is a significant determinant of functional independence in older adults.
- Occupational therapists should incorporate oral health assessments and interventions into their practice.
- Integrating oral health promotion can enhance the overall well-being and independence of the aging population.
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