A falta de dentição funcional está associada ao comprometimento das funções bucais entre adultos brasileiros

Unraveling the signs and symptoms of oral conditions that affect daily life activities and oral health-related quality of life

OBJECTIVES

Since oral conditions negatively affect oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), this study evaluated which oral clinical condition, signs, and symptoms are associated with the impact on OHRQoL, its domains, and specific daily life activities among adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from a probabilistic sample of adults (35-44 years old) was used. The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) was used to evaluate OHRQoL, its domains (physical, psychological, and social), and nine daily life activities. Signs and symptoms of oral diseases (dental caries, periodontal disease, need for dental prothesis, and tooth loss) and oral self-perception were considered. Descriptive, bivariate, and multi-level analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 5,834 adults were included, of which 52.9% had some negative impact of oral conditions on OHRQoL. Difficulty in eating was the most affected daily life activity. For multiple models, dental caries lesions (cavities), filled teeth with caries, gingival bleeding, periodontal pocket, dental pain, need for upper or lower dental prosthesis, and oral health self-perception were associated (p < 0.05) with overall OHRQoL or at least one of its domains. The impact on daily life activities of each individual was associated with at least one oral condition. Dental caries lesions (cavity) and dental pain were associated (p < 0.05) with the impact on most daily life activities evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

Different signs and symptoms of prevalent oral diseases are associated with the impact on specific daily life activities among adults, which may compromise the OHRQoL.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Knowledge of how signs, symptoms, and oral conditions affect OHRQoL and daily life activities can provide essential information for clinicians to establish proper disease management and preventive strategies focusing on improving patients' lives.

Inter-examiner agreement in the application of an oral health assessment instrument in hospitalized elderly

OBJECTIVES

to analyze the correspondence between nurse and dental surgeon assessments in the application of an Oral Health Assessment in dental screening of elderly hospitalized patients.

METHODS

cross-sectional study with elderly patients (n = 54) admitted to University Hospital from the Federal University of São Paulo. Data were collected through the assessment of oral cavity. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to analyze them, using tables and graphs.

RESULTS

there was correlation and agreement between nurse and dental surgeon assessments referring to application of an Oral Health Assessment in dental screening of hospitalized elderly.

CONCLUSIONS

oral Health Assessment in dental screening for hospitalized elderly by nurses demonstrated excellent reproducibility and may be a resource to identify buccal alteration, helping the planning and execution of nurse care associated to oral health.