Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly People with Edentulous Jaws in Hafar Al-Batin Region, Saudi Arabia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to determine oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among elderly people aged 65 and above years from Hafar Al-Batin area, Saudi Arabia, by utilizing Arabic version of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI-Ar).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study undertaken from October 2017 to December 2017. A convenience sampling methodology was employed to select the elderly patients aged ≥65 years attending dental clinics of primary health-care centers in five different regions of the Hafar Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. OHRQoL of the participants was measured using the Saudi Arabian version of GOHAI-Ar. The oral examinations performed to record a total number of remaining natural teeth, complete and removable partial dentures, and fixed partial dentures. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 200 elderly participants (M = 157 and F = 43) having mean age (± standard error [SE]) was 69.26 (±0.34) years, participated in the study. Mean ± SE of GOHAI-Ar was 27.68 ± 0.54, physical function 9.12 ± 0.26, pain and discomfort (6.87 ± 0.18), and psychological discomfort (11.69 ± 0.25). Remaining natural teeth and prosthodontic status significantly correlated with pain and discomfort. The presence of prosthesis was found to influence the psychological function. Gender and prosthodontic statuses were found to have significant correlation with OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Poor OHRQoL among elderly from Hafar Al-Batin city was found, and presence dental prosthesis showed a positive impact on OHRQoL.