Association between the Categories of Tooth Loss by Eichner’s Index and Impacts on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly

Abstract

The elderly is the age that change both physically and mentally in decline way. Getting older made the elderly health getting worse and leading to a various health problem including oral health. The main problem is losing their teeth. This study aimed to explore the association between the categories of tooth loss by Eichner’s index and impacts on Oral health-related quality of life among elderly. The population of the study is 240 elderlies in Kum Mad Sub district, Sum Soong District, Khon Kaen Province. The data was collected by the interview and oral health examination The results of the study revealed that 45.8 percent of the elderly has lost their tooth in B category according to the Eichner’s index that is they have 1 to 3 occlusal support zones (OSZs). Sixty eight percent were impacted with their oral health-related quality of life, 54.2 percent of them were mostly impact on eating with the most severity and frequency. The major symptom and the perceived clinical cause of the impact that mostly found are the appearance dissatisfaction and tooth loss respectively. When comparing to the elderly with the Eichner A, those with the Eichner B and C were impacted on their Oral health-related quality of life for ORadj = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 4.5) and ORadj = 16.3 (95% CI: 4.4, 59.7) respectively, after controlling for confounding factors. The result from this study can be used as a guideline in dental treatment planning or dental services. Especially for promoting the prosthesis that considering based on characteristic of the teeth lose according to the Eichner’ index and the impact data of the problem from the elderly to solve the issue of teeth lose that match the real problem.