Impacts of Tooth Loss on OHRQoL in an Adult Population in Cape Town, South Africa

The association between dental caries, periodontal diseases, and tooth loss with diabetes mellitus among the elderly population

Purpose

Our study investigated the association between dental caries, periodontal diseases, and tooth loss with diabetes mellitus (DM) among the elderly population, representing the first study of its kind in Iran.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional community-based study as a part of the second wave of the Birjand longitudinal aging study (BLAS, 2021-2022) for people older than 60. We used the Comprehensive Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Tool (CGOHAT) for the oral health evaluation. Participants were initially categorized into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Those patients with DM were further categorised into uncontrolled and controlled diabetes based on their HbA1c level. The association between periodontitis, gingivitis, and edentulism with type II diabetes mellitus and uncontrolled diabetes was assessed using logistic regression.

Results

Among the 1,011 participants, 324 (32.04%) had DM. The mean ± SD DMFT was 27.06 ± 7.71 and 27.07 ± 7.72 among those with and without DM, respectively (p = 0.976). The M index comprised 85.46% of the total DMFT among those without DM and 84.51% among those with DM. The prevalence of periodontitis was higher among those without DM (110, 32.84%, p = 0.390). The prevalence of gingivitis was higher among those with DM (73, 45.06%, p = 0.617). Among the diabetic group, 137 (42.28%) had controlled DM. Based on the adjusted matched multivariate logistic model, decayed teeth (1.24, 95%CI: 1.06 - 1.46, p-value = 0.006), periodontitis (2.78, 95%CI: 1.02 - 7.56, p-value = 0.044), and moderate tooth loss (5.73, 95%CI: 1.13 - 28.88, p-value = 0.034) were significantly associated with increased odds of uncontrolled DM.

Conclusions

Based on the findings of this study, tooth loss was highly prevalent among the elderly Iranians regardless of their diabetes status. Also, periodontitis, tooth loss, and decayed teeth were significantly associated with increased odds of poor glycemic control among those with DM. Thus, it can be concluded that improving the oral health of the geriatric population may be a crucial part of improving the glycemic control among those with diabetes which has been frequently neglected.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01434-2.

Evaluation of the Impact of Oral Health on the Daily Activities of Users of the National Health System

BACKGROUND

the integration of dentistry services in the Unified Health System in Brazil (SUS) is essential in primary care assistance.

OBJECTIVE

we aimed to develop a tool for improving demand flowby evaluating the impact of oral health on the daily activities of users of the Family Health Unitusing the Oral Impacts of Daily Performance (OIDP)tool.

METHODS

In Barretos, Brazil, a cross-sectional study was conducted at a Family Health Unit (FHU)including patients over 12 years old. Oral health impact was assessed using the Oral Impacts of Daily Performance (OIDP) tool, and family risk was measured with the Coelho-Savassi scale.

RESULTS

430 participants, including 411 adults and 19 young people, were recruited. Of the adults, 31% had an average OIDP score of 16.61. For young people, 53% reported an impact (average OIDP score: 28.61). Family risk (R1) was prevalent in 57.9% of young people and 53.3% of adults. Among adults, different activities were affected by risk: smiling without embarrassment (risk level 2), enjoying contact with people (risk level 3), and performing one's job or social role (risk level 1). Emotional state (R3) had the lowest OIDP score (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

implementation of the OIDP scale in clinical practice enhances healthcare planning and ensures better-quality and equitable services, thus emphasizing comprehensive oral healthcare within the SUS.