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Oral Health Literacy and Determinants among an Elderly Community in Portugal

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  • Helder Costa

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Dental Medicine, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Pedro Lopes

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Dental Medicine, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Maria José Correia

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Dental Medicine, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Patrícia Couto

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Dental Medicine, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Ana Margarida Silva

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Dental Medicine, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

  • Joaquin Francisco López-Marcos

    (Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Nélio Veiga

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculty of Dental Medicine, 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal
    Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), 3504-505 Viseu, Portugal)

Abstract

High average life expectancy has caused an increase in the elderly population and with it arises the need to characterize this population regarding their health and, in particular, their oral health. The purpose of this study was to assess and characterize oral health, oral rehabilitation, oral health literacy, oral health perception and quality of life in a sample of elderly participants of a physical activity program in Portugal. An observational cross-sectional study was designed with a group of 206 individuals. All the individuals were clinically assessed, DMFT, PSR and the plaque index were registered, and a questionnaire was applied in the form of a “face-to-face” interview with questions related to the quality of life related to oral health (GOHAI index and the REALD-30 scale). Of the 206 study participants, 90.3% admit brushing their teeth daily, 6.3% practice daily flossing, and 5.8% had a dental appointment in the last 12 months. Applying the REALD-30 scale, 22.7% have a low level (score 0–14), 43.7% a moderate level (score 15–22) and 33.6% a high level (score 23–29) of oral health literacy. The GOHAI scale reveals that 37.4% have a high self-perception of their oral health. A considerable proportion of the sample studied present a moderate level of oral health literacy. Therefore, educating each person about their oral health when participating in a specific health program and developing proposals for oral health promotion activities should be widely considered as a strategy towards primary prevention. Future oral health literacy sessions should be held in order to improve oral health and quality of life among the community.

Suggested Citation

  • Helder Costa & Pedro Lopes & Maria José Correia & Patrícia Couto & Ana Margarida Silva & Joaquin Francisco López-Marcos & Nélio Veiga, 2024. "Oral Health Literacy and Determinants among an Elderly Community in Portugal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-10, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:6:p:735-:d:1409427
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alice Kit Ying Chan & Manisha Tamrakar & Chloe Meng Jiang & Edward Chin Man Lo & Katherine Chiu Man Leung & Chun Hung Chu, 2021. "A Systematic Review on Caries Status of Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Tsuyoshi Hamano & Miwako Takeda & Kazumichi Tominaga & Kristina Sundquist & Toru Nabika, 2017. "Is Accessibility to Dental Care Facilities in Rural Areas Associated with Number of Teeth in Elderly Residents?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-6, March.
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