Association Between Self-Reported Psychiatric Diseases and Oral Health Among Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dental Public Health
• Psychiatric Epidemiology

Background:

• Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being in older adults.
• Psychiatric diseases can significantly impact health behaviors and access to care, potentially affecting oral health outcomes.
• Understanding the relationship between mental health and dental status is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between self-reported psychiatric diseases and the number of remaining teeth in an elderly population.
• To identify demographic and access-related factors influencing tooth loss in older adults.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 569 older adults recruited via a probabilistic cluster sampling strategy.
• Data collection included a structured questionnaire and an oral health examination.
• Statistical analysis employed Poisson regression with robust variance to assess associations, adjusting for potential confounders.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of self-reported psychiatric disease was 16.5%.
• Lower numbers of present teeth were significantly associated with self-reported psychiatric diseases (Rate Ratio [RR]: 0.69).
• Additional factors associated with reduced tooth count included being female (RR: 0.72), lack of dental access (RR: 0.54), and older age (RR: 0.96).

Conclusions:

• Older adults with self-reported psychiatric diseases, females, and those without dental access face higher rates of tooth loss.
• The findings underscore the necessity for public health policies that integrate mental and oral healthcare.
• Ensuring equitable access to dental services is vital for protecting the oral health of vulnerable elderly populations.