Self-reported oral health and oral health-related quality of life among older adults receiving home care services in South-eastern Norway.

Objective: To map self-reported oral health status, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and associated factors among older adults receiving home care services (HCS) in south-eastern Norway.

Material and methods: For this cross-sectional study, older adult users of HCS, aged ≥ 65 years were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Information about demographics, number of medicines, and Activity of Daily Living (ADL-score) was obtained. Self-reported oral health status and subjective dry mouth (Summated Xerostomia Inventory-Duch version, SXI-D) were assessed. OHRQoL was measured using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14).

Results: Of 116 participants (mean age 83 years), 52.6% were female. Half of the participants reported missing < 5 of their natural teeth and 6.9% were edentulous. Pain and discomfort were reported by 16.4%, and subjective dry mouth was common (40.7%). Poor oral health status was reported by 8.6%, and experiencing problems or discomfort fairly often or very often was reported by 20.7%. Good self-perceived oral health was reported by 61%. Younger (< 75 years) and less dependent (ADL < 2) individuals and those missing ≥ 5 natural teeth reported a negative impact on OHRQoL more often.

Conclusions: Half of older adults receiving HCS in Norway retain most of their natural teeth, few are edentulous and xerostomia is common. Younger and less dependent individuals and those missing ≥ 5 natural teeth reported a negative impact on OHRQoL more often.