Preventive dental service use and oral health-related quality of life in Brazilian older adults

Tauana Rabuske Dietrich, Gabriela Debona, Paola de Spessato Schwerz, Maria Laura Braccini Fagundes, Fernando Neves Hugo, Juliana Balbinot Hilgert, Jessye Melgarejo do Amaral Giordani, Orlando Luiz do Amaral Júnior

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Information on the use of preventive dental services and associated variables is needed to guide policy for the old adult population and consequently promote better oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Objective: To investigate the association between preventive dental service use and OHRQoL by older Brazilians. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out using the baseline data of participants of the Brazilian Longitudinal Stud of Aging (ELSEI-Brazil) who were aged 60 years or more. Associations with the use of preventive dental services were carried out using Poisson regression models with robust variance, adjusting for confounders. Results: The final sample consisted of 5432 older adults. Almost all (90.7%) participants reported not having sought preventive dental services in the last year. Individuals who used dental services for prevention had fewer impacts on their OHRQoL (RR: 0.74; [95% CI: 0.57–0.97]). Conclusion: Preventive dental service use is associated with a better OHRQoL in older Brazilians. Policies to improve access to preventive dental services may result in improved OHRQoL in this age group.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)40-45
Number of pages6
JournalGerodontology
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2024

Keywords

  • ageing
  • dental care
  • quality of life
  • social determinants of health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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