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

本研究调查了牙科干预对老年人口腔健康和一般健康状况的影响，并分析了老年人身心健康状况与口腔健康状况的关系。研究组由530名70岁或以上的社区居住老人组成，他们参加了一次集体牙科检查，并因口腔健康问题被建议咨询牙医，并在一年后参加了后续牙科检查。口腔健康状况进行了评估，根据剩余的，完整的，治疗，和龋齿的数量和CPI评分。人口，身体，心理和社会变量，以及以前的牙科访问的数据，也进行了调查问卷。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，通过比较两组之间的差异来检查牙科干预的效果。70.2%的受试者被归为依从组。这组受试者的牙齿更完整或治疗，CPI评分更好，而两组之间的心理和一般健康状况没有显着差异。不依从组定期看牙的概率较低。在促进口腔健康方面，提倡牙科就诊，通过集体牙科检查早期发现牙科疾病是值得的，但需要更好的方法来改变潜在牙科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.