Investigating the impact of oral health status on the prevalence of falls among caregivers and non-caregivers in the United States: A retrospective study.

Abstract

Objective: Examining the association between oral health and the prevalence of falls among US caregivers.

Background: There is a scarcity of research on the association between oral health status and the prevalence of falls among older adults and caregivers.

Materials and methods: Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed. The analysis was limited to individuals aged 45 years and older (n = 97 550). The outcome variable was if a person had fallen at least once during the past 12 months. The main predictor variables were the number of teeth removed, the last dentist visit, and caregiver status. Data were analyzed using bivariate descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs).

Results: Having one to five teeth removed was linked to an increased prevalence of falls [AOR: 1.13, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.02-1.25, p = .017] and was highest for complete tooth loss (AOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.15-1.58, p < .001). Caregivers had increased fall odds (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.10-1.38, p < .001). Caregivers' prevalence of fall increases with six or more teeth removed (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.02-1.94, p = .038) and all teeth removed (AOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.03-2.09, p = .030). Dental visits in the past year were associated with a 21% reduced fall risk for caregivers (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.98, p = .035).

Conclusion: The study showed that maintaining good oral health and utilizing dental services may be associated with lower fall risks, particularly among caregivers, suggesting the need for integrating oral health into fall prevention strategies.