A longitudinal intervention study on the relationship between mental and physical health status and oral function in the elderly

本研究调查了口腔干预对老年人群口腔及一般健康状况的影响，并分析了心理、生理健康状况与口腔健康状况的关系。研究小组由530名70岁或以上的社区长者组成，他们参加了一项大规模牙科检查，并被建议因口腔健康问题咨询牙医，一年后接受了后续牙科检查。根据剩余、完整、治疗和蛀牙的数量和CPI评分来评估口腔健康状况。采用问卷调查的方法，对人口统计、生理、心理、社会变量及既往牙科就诊情况进行分析。根据随访期间的牙科就诊情况将研究组进一步分为依从组和不依从组，通过比较两组的差异来检验牙科干预的效果。70.2%的受试者被归为依从组。本组患者牙齿完整或治疗程度较高，CPI得分较高，两组患者的心理和一般健康状况无显著差异。不遵医嘱组定期去看牙医的可能性较低。在口腔健康宣传中，提倡通过大规模口腔检查，及早发现口腔疾病，是有价值的，但需要更好的方法来改变潜在口腔患者的口腔健康行为和态度。

In the current study, the effects of dental intervention on the oral and general health status were surveyed in the elderly population, and the relationship between the mental and physical health status and the oral health status was analyzed. The study group consisted of 530 community dwelling elderly people aged 70 years or over, who participated in a mass dental examination and were advised to consult dentists because of their oral health problems, and were enrolled in the follow-up dental examination a year later. Oral health status was evaluated according to the numbers of remaining, intact, treated, and decayed teeth and CPI scores. Data on demographic, physical, psychological, and social variables, as well as previous dental visit, were also examined by questionnaire survey. The study group was further divided into compliant and incompliant groups based upon the dental visit during the follow-up period, and the effects of dental intervention were examined by comparing the differences between the two groups. 70.2% of the subjects were classified into compliant group. The subjects in this group had more intact or treated teeth, and better CPI scores, while no significant difference in mental and general health status was observed between the two groups. The probability of regular dental attendance was lower in incompliant group. It is worthwhile in oral health promotion to advocate dental visit following with early detection of dental diseases through mass dental examinations, however, better way would be needed to change the oral health behavior and attitude of latent dental patients.