الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 180 |  |  |
| | | from | 180 | | |
Abstract
The oral health of an ageing population constitutes a significant concern because it is closely linked to general health and the quality of life. Oral health of the elderly population is a global concern. Neglect of oral care or changing in the normal oral environment due to any cause may stimulate the bacteria which becomes pathognomonic and can cause several diseases such as teeth caries or soft tissue problems. Poor oral health has negative consequences on individuals‘ behaviors, which may affect an individual‘s performance, concentration, and self-esteem. Oral health and dental care have a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of elderly adults, overall health, and wellbeing. Understanding the effect of oral health care among elderly on their quality of life is the important step toward achieving oral health. Aim of the study, this study was aimed to assess the relation between oral health care for the elderly and their quality of life. Subjects and Method: this study wasa descriptive study design, conducted in all Ali Ebn Abi Talib Health Insurance Outpatient Clinics that followed to Health Insurance Hospital at Tanta city, Gharbia Governorate. And a convenient sample was utilized in this study. A number of 500 elderly who were attending the above mentioned settings was included in the study. Tools of data collection; In order to collect the necessary data two tools were used according to literature review. Tool (І) A structured interview schedule: -This tool consisted of three parts for assessing the socio-demographics characteristic, medical history and lifestyle, elderly knowledge, and their practices regarding oral health care. It was developed by the researcher based on relevant literature. Tool II: Oral Health Related Quality of Life Scale (OHRQoL):- OHRQoL was measured using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile. It was developed by Slade and Spencer (1994) as a self-rating patient-centered instrument designed to assess the priorities of care by documenting social impact among individuals and groups, understand oral health behaviors, evaluate dental treatment, and provide information for planning for oral health. The OHIP-14 is a multidimensional questionnaire, composed of 14 items, and it covered seven domains of health; two questions for each dimension as: functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap. The results of this study can be summarized as follows:- • The age of the studied elderly ranged from 60-80 years with the Mean SD of age was 64.563.803 years. • More than one third (39.0% and 34.6%) of them were married and read and write and about three quarters (76.4%, 76.0 % and 74.0%) of them had enough income, had less than or equal three children, and were lived with their family, respectively. • (41.6% and 70.4 %) of the studied elderly were suffered from diabetes mellitus and hypertension, respectively. • About two thirds (64.8 %, 61.0 % and 69.2%) of the studied elderly suffered from oral problems as tooth decay, tooth ache with a cold drink, broken teeth, respectively. On the other hand, 69.0% of them had frequent dry mouth without cause. Also, most of them (84.8%) were suffered from gingivitis and 77.4% of them were suffered from bleeding gum. The presence of gingivitis was the cause of bleeding gum in more than half of them (61.8%). • The majority (82.4% and 88.8%) of the studied elderly didn’t go to dentist because their poor health and took topical analgesic when experienced toothache, respectively. • More than half (52.4% and 62.0%) of them brushed their teeth once a day by using toothpaste, respectively. • (74%) of the studied elderly of the studied elderly defined of oral health problem correctly complete answer and the risk factors of oral cancer. • The majority (86% and 98%) of the studied elderly knew the harmful effect of soft drinks and food contains sugar on the teeth. • Two thirds (66.0%) of the studied elderly defined oral health .And more than one third (38.0%) of them referred to recommended time to brush the teeth • Also, the majority of the studied elderly knew about advantage and disadvantage of manual toothbrush. • More than half (62.0%and 52.0%) of the studied elderly knew the advantage and disadvantages of electrical toothbrush. • About two thirds of the studied elderly knew that one of the characteristics of healthy tooth brush it should change when noticed signs of damage to the brush. • More than half (55.2%, 60.6% and 64.2 %) of the studied elderly had complete and correct knowledge about the causes of teeth problems, the causes of tooth decay and ways to protect against tooth decay, respectively While, about one third (30.8% and 34.0%) had incorrect knowledge about disadvantages of manual toothbrushes and advantages of an electric toothbrush, respectively. • More than half (63.2%, 62.2% and 63,8%) of the studied elderly had incomplete correct knowledge about complications of plaque accumulation on the teeth , recommended time to brush their teeth , and characteristics of a healthy tooth brush, respectively. Also, 68.8% of them had incomplete correct knowledge about the effect of dental health on the rest of the body. • About three quarters (79.8%, 71.8%, 73.0% and 70.2%) of the studied elderly used a good toothbrush to brush their teeth, used toothpaste containing fluoride for black removing and went to dentist for any sigh of tooth decay or gum disease and hold toothbrush under running water to remove any bacteria from the brush after brushing teeth. • About two thirds (63.0%, 64.8 % and 68.8%) of them use an appropriate amount of toothpaste, gently brush their tongue after brushing their teeth and spit out the whole toothpaste after brushing teeth, respectively. • Also, more than half (53.2% & 56.6%) of the studied elderly reported that brush their teeth at least twice a day and replace their toothbrush regularly by buying a new toothbrush every three to four months or once the hairs begin to dissipate and loss their shape, respectively. • More than two thirds (76.2 % and 70.4%) of the studied elderly did not visit a doctor at least once a year, and did not always clean their denture, respectively, more than half (55.6 %, 57.2 % and 53.8%) of them did not floss between their teeth once a day, did not spent from two to three minutes in brushing their teeth with a technology of up, down and sides and choose a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles, respectively. • About two-thirds (62.6%) of the studied elderly had a high level of total knowledge score with the mean score (27.33 6.583) and ranged from (12-37) • On the other hand, above half of them had unsatisfactory level of total practices score with mean score (8.83 3.736) and ranged from (1 -16). • The majority of the studied elderly (84.81%) had good quality of life levels with range (10 -38) and mean score (21.20 7.123). • There was a statistically significant relation between all items of sociodemographic characteristics of the studied elderly and their total practices score toward oral health care as P=0.000*except sex P =0.462. • There was a statistically significant relation between all socio-demographic characteristics of the studied elderly and their total score of oral health related quality of life scale (OHRQOL) at P < 0.05 except marital as p=0.767 • There was a statistically significant relation between the knowledge levels of the studied elderly and their levels of oral health related quality of life (OHRQOL) at p value 0.000. • There was a highly significant positive correlation between knowledge, practices levels of the studied elderly and their levels of OHRQOL at P < 0.05. Conclusion Based on the findings of the present study it can be concluded that nearly about two-thirds of the studied elderly had a high level of knowledge regarding their oral health care, while more than half of them were unsatisfactory practices toward oral health care and more than three-quarters of them had agood level of their quality of life regarding oral health. There was a highly significant positive correlation between knowledge and practices levels of the studied elderly and practices levels of the studied elderly regarding oral health and their levels of quality of life at P= 0.000. Recommendations Based on the finding of the present study, the following recommendations are suggested:- • Design oral health educational program for community dwelling older adults about the importance of oral health routine checkup and the available community dental health services. • A health promotion instructions should be designed for improving the elderly’s oral health practices and oral health related quality of life • Establishing routine dental checkup for elderly in all health care facilities to promote oral health and enhance their quality of life.