Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Self-Perceived Oral Health Among US Adults ≥65 Years With Visual Impairment: NHANES 2015-2018
Sumeet Gill1, Kenneth Knapp1, Elizabeth D Drugge1
1Department of Public Health, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.
Summary
Older adults with visual impairment report poorer oral health. This study found a significant association between vision loss and reduced self-perceived oral health in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Older adults with sensory impairments experience challenges in maintaining oral hygiene.
- Limited data exists on self-perceived oral health among older adults with visual impairment in the U.S.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between visual impairment and self-perceived oral health in older U.S. adults.
- To provide evidence for targeted interventions and improved dental care accessibility.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2018 data.
- Logistic regression used to assess the association between visual impairment and self-perceived oral health, controlling for covariates.
- Visual impairment defined as blindness or severe vision difficulty even with corrective lenses.
Main Results:
- 9.6% of older adults reported visual impairment, and 23.2% reported poor oral health.
- Adults with visual impairment had higher rates of fair or poor oral health (34.1% vs. 22.1%).
- Visual impairment was significantly associated with lower odds of reporting good self-perceived oral health (OR 0.67).
Conclusions:
- Visual impairment is linked to diminished self-perceived oral health in adults aged 65 and older.
- Highlights the necessity for dental care services that are responsive to disability.
- Emphasizes the need for accessible communication strategies within dental practices for visually impaired patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:29Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
01:11Oral Cavity
The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
01:21Health Literacy
Health literacy is an individual's or a community's capacity to comprehend, receive, read, and use relevant healthcare information and services. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2018) defines health literacy as the cognitive and social skills that determine the ability of individuals to gain access to, understand, and use information in ways that promote and maintain good health. As a result, the WHO helps individuals manage long-term health concerns, participate in preventative programs,...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:15Teeth
The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...