The impact of oral disease among the institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly in Hong Kong

Abstract

The study aimed to describe and compare the psychosocial and functional impact of oral disease on the quality of life of the institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly in Hong Kong. A total of 268 institutionalized and 318 non-institutionalized elderly aged 60-80 years took part. The 49-statement Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) was administered in a structured interview format and sociodemographic information collected prior to a clinical, oral examination. A greater number of the institutionalized were edentulous (19%); they also had more untreated dental disease. The number of elderly reporting negative impacts was generally low. The percentage of institutionalized elderly reporting a negative impact was significantly lower in one of the OHIP subscales (handicap, P < 0.001) and similar in the other six. The main factors affecting the OHIP score were living location, socio-economic status, dental disease and treatment seeking behaviour. In conclusion, the psychosocial and functional impact of oral conditions was low and similar in the institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly although the pattern of oral disease was different. Life events and socially and culturally derived values appeared to affect the elderly perception of the impact of oral disease.