Relationship Between Oral Health Status, Oral Discomfort and Oral Health Behaviors of the Vulnerable Elderly People in Korea

in 2030, and 39.0% ABSTRACT Background/Purpose: This study analyzed the correlation between the oral health status, oral discomfort, and oral health behaviors of merchants aged 65 and over belonging to the vulnerable group in Korea. The purpose of study is to provide basic data necessary for establishing oral health promotion programs and oral health policies for the elderly. Methods: We conducted a convenience sampling of 624 elderly 65 years and older in five markets located in Gyeongsnagnam-do, republic of Korea. After confirming the subject’s voluntary participation, 5 public health dentists from community health centers performed dental examination and treatment to assess oral health status (7 questions) and oral discomfort (5 questions), and 5 dental hygienists conducted an interviewer-administered survey with the structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics (9 questions) and oral health behavior (7 questions). Results: Gender ( r =-0.118, p =0.003) and age ( r =-0.173, p <0.001) showed a negative correlation with oral health status. Economic status showed a negative correlation with satisfaction with dental health care (-0.095, p =0.018) and experience of dental health care education (-0.088, p =.029), and showed a positive correlation with oral health status ( r =0.098, p =0.015). Daily activity restriction and oral discomfort ( r =0.106, p =0.008) showed a positive correlation. Subjective oral health condition showed a positive correlation with oral health status ( r =1.08, p =0.007) and oral discomfort ( r =0.198, p <0.001). Conclusion: Establishment of oral health promotion programs, oral health policies, and strategies suitable for the characteristics of the vulnerable elderly people and systematic and specific oral health education are necessary to improve the practice of continuous oral health behavior.