• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.121-135
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• 2004

This study aims to analyze the oral health status of the elderly. Study subjects were 9,340 elderly aged over 65 who took the health examination (the first) for the local insured when the National Health Insurance Corporation carried out its survey from January to December, 2002. The subjects took an oral examination and filled in the questionnaire. Major results from the analysis are as follows: 1. Analysis of Oral Health Behavior For oral health behavior, 38.2％ of total subjects had visited a dental hospital (or clinic) in the last one year in the order of the elderly of big cities (48.3％), the elderly of medium cities (43.9％), and the elderly of rural areas (29.0％)(P<0.001). Elderly men had a higher rate than elderly women, and the younger age had a higher rate(P<0.01). For experience of oral prophylaxis, 12.3％ of the total elderly had experienced it in the order of the elderly of big cities (18.8％), the elderly of medium cities (16.0％), and the elderly of rural areas (6.4％) (P<0.001). For elderly men, the younger age had a higher rate of oral prophylaxis. The number of toothbrushing in order was twice(47.5％), once (26.7％), three times (25.0％), and none (0.7％). The younger age brushed their teeth more often (P<0.001). 2. Analysis of Oral Health Status The rate of caries was 10.6％ of the elderly surveyed. By area, the elderly of rural areas had a higher rate of caries than the elderly of cities (p<0.001) and elderly men were higher than elderly women (p<0.001). By age, many elderly aged over 80 had more than two caries. For missing teeth, the elderly of rural areas had a higher rate than the elderly of cities (p<0.001) and the older age had a higher rate(p<0.001). The rate of periodontal disease was 43.2％ of the total elderly. By area, the elderly of big cities (46.2％) had a higher rate of periodontal disease than the elderly of medium cities (39.4％) and rural areas (43.6％)(p<0.001), and elderly men (46.4％) were higher than elderly women (40.2％)(p<0.001). By age, the lower age had a higher rate of peridontal disease (p<0.001). Dental abrasion was observed in 16.9％ of the total elderly. The elderly of cities (21.0％) had a higher rate than the elderly of rural areas (12.0％)(p<0.001) and elderly men (21.3％) were higher than elderly women (12.8％)(p<0.001). Also the lower age had more dental abrasion symptoms (p<0.001). For needing a denture, the rate among the elderly was 48.5％ and was higher for the elderly of rural areas(20.9％), than the elderly of big cities(7.0％) and medium cities (10.5％)(p<0.001). For the rate of denture wearing, the elderly of rural areas(41.8％) were higher than the elderly of big cities (27.7％) and medium cities (28.2％ )(p<0.001). For the relation of drinking and smoking to oral health, the elderly who had a higher frequency of drinking, had a higher rate of caries (p<0.001)periodontal disease(p<0.001) and missing teeth(p<0.001) Smokers had a higher rate of caries (p<0.001), periodontal disease (p<0.05), and missing teeth (p<0.001) than nonsmokers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1135-1145
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• 2017

Objectives: The objective of the study was to review the correlation between self-perceived oral health status and periodontal diseases in elderly Koreans, using data from the $6^{th}$ (2nd year) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014). Methods: The subjects for this study were a total of 1,454 elderly people aged 65 years or older who responded to the health questionnaires of the $6^{th}$ (2nd year) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2014. Their general characteristics were analyzed using frequency analysis, while a cross-tabulation analysis (${\chi}^2-test$) was performed to understand the correlation with periodontal diseases. To clarify any effect of self-perceived oral health status on periodontal diseases, the selected variables were controlled and subsequently analyzed according to the logistic regression analysis. Results: In terms of the difference between elderly people with periodontal disease and those without periodontal disease, higher prevalence rates of periodontal diseases were found in women, those of younger age, those with lower educational and income levels, those with poorer subjective oral health status, those in the presence of chewing discomfort, those who had a toothbrushing frequency of twice per day, and/or those who had received no oral examination over the previous one year. Regarding the effect of self-perceived oral health status on periodontal diseases, 1.78-fold and 1.74-fold higher prevalence rates of periodontal diseases were shown with poorer subjective oral health status and in the presence of chewing discomfort, respectively. Conclusions: Based upon the results above, it is considered that a better understanding of self-perceived oral health status is necessary for a healthy life of the elderly. Furthermore, constant relevant studies and effective prevention programs intended to moderate the progress of or prevent periodontal diseases in the elderly in communities should be performed and implemented for the sake of better quality of life and oral health.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-64
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• 2021

Background: The elderly in long-term care facilities tend to have a diminished oral health status, with a high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease, as reduced cognitive function, joint mobility, and gait ability hinder the performance of oral hygiene. To improve the oral health of the elderly at long-term care facilities, it is necessary to have precise guidelines for oral health care and assessment; however, such guidelines are not readily available. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop an oral care assessment tool with verified reliability and validity. Methods: The participants in this study were 100 elderly patients at a care facilities and 10 clinical dental hygienists. Collected data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, content validity index, and inter-rater reliability, as well as the analyses of intra-class correlation coefficient. Results: After a review of relevant literature, a preliminary questionnaire comprised of seven questions related to the evaluation of oral health was formed. After revising and supplementing the questions through a content validity test, a total of nine questions were selected. Conclusion: The novel assessment tool developed for the present study is anticipated to allow analyses of the level of problems related to oral health care before routine and professional care. Moreover, regular oral health status check-ups will enable the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.931-941
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between depression and poor oral health in Korean elderly using Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessment of depressive symptoms. Methods: This study used the data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-2). The study included 1,454 elderly Korean aged over 65. Variables included demographic characteristics (gender, age), socioeconomic factor (income, education), systemic diseases, oral health related factor (tooth brush, dental products), health related factor (alcohol drinking, smoking), and depression. Logistic regression analysis was used as sequential models. Effects were quantified as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: From frequency analysis, being female, primary school or less, non-alcohol drinking, poor oral health were significantly related to depression. In the multiple logistic regression model, depression was significantly associated with poor oral health (OR=1.96, CI=1.15-3.53) after adjustment for other covariates including demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factor, systemic diseases, oral health related factor, and health related factor (OR=1.91, CI=1.13-3.27). Conclusions: Depression had an influence on the poor oral health after adjustment as confounding variable in the elderly. It should be focused on the health promotion for the elderly vulnerable to depression and poor oral health. The development of the mental health and oral health should be established.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.899-910
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the rates of perceived stress of elderly people over 65 years old and to confirm the influence of stress on general health and oral health status. Methods: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey for 2014, 1,472 people over 65 years of age were selected as final subjects. Stress was used as an independent variable and dependent variables were included physical health (perceived health status), mental health (depression), and oral health (perceived oral health status). The following confounding variables were adjusted for the current study: demographic characteristics (gender, age, education level, house income) and health - related characteristics (drinking, smoking, exercise, frequency of tooth brushing, using oral care product, dental exam, comorbidity, restrict activity). Complex sampling analysis was applied and logistic regression was performed to determine the effects of stress on physical health, mental health and oral health status. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% Confidence Interval, 95% CI) were calculated. Results: Logistic regression indicated that stress was significantly associated with low physical health (OR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.49-3.20), low mental health (OR=8.68, 95%CI: 4.98-15.11), low oral health (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.06-2.21) after adjusting for confounding variables. Conclusions: The perceived stress of the elderly was found to be related to the general health and oral health status. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate stress as a predictor of health risk for the health promotion of the elderly on multidisciplinary assessment and continuous evaluation. In addition, health support policies should be provided to achieve good health status for elderly.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the dietary habits and oral health of elderly people in an attempt to pave the way for the development of oral health promotion programs geared toward improving the quality of life of the elderly. The subjects in this study were senior citizens who were selected by convenience sampling from Seoul. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. Regarding subjective oral health state, 54.5% of the elderly people, more than the half, considered their mouth to be in good health. The number of their mean remaining permanent teeth was 13.71. 47.5 percent of the senior citizens investigated had no shaking teeth. 2. Those who found themselves to be in good oral health had meals on a regular basis(p=0.022) and ate detergent food often. The gaps between them and the others was significant(p=0.005). In contrast, the elderly people who were in a bad oral health frequently ate cariogenic food(p=0.044). 3. The elderly people who had 21 teeth or more ate detergent food often(p=0.029), and those who owned no teeth had a sweet teeth(p=0.003), ate more cariogenic food(p=0.001) and had a snack frequently(p=0.026). 4. The subjective oral health status had a positive correlation to detergent food intake(r=0.23) and had a slightly negative correlation to preference for sweets(r=-0.14), cariogenic food intake(r=-0.14) and snack intake(r=-0.06). The number of tooth was positively correlated to detergent food intake(r=0.23) and negatively to preference for sweets(r=0.32), cariogenic food intake(r=-0.30) and snack intake(r=-0.21). The presence or absence of shaking teeth had a positive correlation to snack intake(r=0.14). The above-mentioned findings suggested that the dietary habits of the elderly people had a statistically significant relationship to subjective and objective oral health state, which indicated that there was a close relationship between oral health and dietary habits. Therefore how to improve dietary habits as well as oral health should be taken into account when oral health promotion programs are developed for the sake of the elderly. That would contribute to promoting the oral health of elderly people and eventually boosting their quality of life.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.311-321
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was conducted an in-depth analysis of the subjective oral status and oral care needs according and problems of the elderly. Methods: A phenomenological research method was from April 13 to 30, 2023, 15 elderly people aged 65 or older in Gwangju and Jeolla regions were surveyed. Results: He was experiencing oral changes such as difficulty chewing, dry mouth and indigestion, sensitive teeth, smell of fear and feeling sensitive when eating sweet or cold food. They were burdened by the financial difficulties of dental treatment costs, the inconvenience caused by frequent visits, and the pain experienced during treatment. Realized the need for necessity of oral care education, and their confidence was restored through dental treatment. It was necessary the image recovery of dentistry, and they wanted to maintain oral health through the expansion of treatment health insurance. Conclusions: Consequently, it is necessary to develop a practical oral health management program for the elderly based on social communication regarding of the elderly and to expand health insurance coverage.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.499-506
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• 2021

Objectives: This case - study was conducted to assess the oral health status change of the elderly through visiting oral care interventions based on a community health care project. Methods: Professional dental hygiene treatment and oral health education, including brushing using interdental toothbrushes and sponge brushes, were performed on three senior citizens who received home visiting oral health care benefit. Results: The subject's periodontal conditions improved including gingival inflammation and bleeding. The gingival color tured pink by controlling the dental plaque. Conclusions: Visiting oral health care contributed to the improvement of oral health of the elderly. Therefore, based on the characteristics of the elderly with various systemic diseases, it is necessary to discover various cases that can perform professional and customized visiting oral health care programs.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.285-293
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of self-perceived oral health and depression in the Korean elderly. Methods: The subjects were 1,329 elderly in Korea from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (the 6th KNHANES). The dependent variable was depression that continued more than two weeks. Model I for the impacts of depression on self-reported oral health, Model II for the impacts of depression on chewing problem, Model III for the impacts of depression on speaking problem was evaluated. PASW Statistics 18.0 version was used for frequency analysis, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Female elderly were much more prone to depression than male. Female had lower monthly compensation, less medicaid, chewing problem, speaking problem, and less education. For these reasons, they tended to have more depression than male (p<0.001). Self-perceived oral health impacts on depression included poor self-reported oral health(p<0.01), poor chewing problem(p<0.01) and poor speaking problem(p<0.05). On the other hand, male did not show a statistically significant association. Conclusions: The study showed the self-perceived oral health related quality of life had a significant influence on depression in the elderly. The continuing lifelong oral health care can prevent depression in the later life because oral health care improvement can enhance the self-perceived oral health status.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.202-208
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• 2017

Korea has been running the community oral health program for the elderly, including topical fluoride application and scaling. The aim of this study was to compare the subjective and objective oral health status of 345 participants according to the number of participants in the program and of 37 participants before and after the 5-year program. The survey consisted of an interview questionnaire and oral examinations. Analysis of variance was used to compare the variables of the 345 participants according to the numbers of participants. Paired t-test was used to compare the oral health statuses before and after the 5-year program in 37 subjects. There was no difference in subjective oral health status according to the number of participants in the oral health program in the elderly, including subjective health status, subjective oral health status, satisfaction with oral health, concern about oral health, need of dental treatment, oral pain, tooth sensitivity, subjective periodontal health, and subjective symptoms of periodontitis. The community periodontal index (CPI) of the 1 time participants was significantly higher than that of 3 times, 4 times or 5 times participants in the upper center, lower left, lower center, and lower right areas. There was a significant improvement in CPI from $2.59{\pm}1.14$ to $1.41{\pm}1.54$ (p<0.001) and positive oral behavioral change (daily tooth brushing frequency from $2.27{\pm}0.73$ to $2.54{\pm}0.90$) before and 5 years after the program. However, the program did not prevent tooth loss as the numbers of the remaining teeth significantly reduced from $23.77{\pm}1.84$ to $21.95{\pm}2.03$ over 5 years. We showed that running the community oral health program for the elderly for more than three years might have positive effects on the periodontal health of participants.