The Factors Effecting to Dental Service and Oral Health Status Related to Quality of Life Among Older Adults Aged 65-74 Years in Hadxayfong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R.

The objective of this study was to measure the effects of oral health status on the quality of life, and to describe utilization of dental care services among senior adults aged 65 to 74 years in Hadxaifong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R. A cross sectional study was designed and a total of 232 older adults aged 65–74 years were selected by convenience sampling. Participants responded to questionnaire and were clinically examined for dental caries, periodontal status, and tooth loss using standard WHO criteria. The prevalence of dental caries was 78 percent with mean number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score 15 4. The prevalence of periodontal pockets (1 or more teeth with 4 mm or more of probing depths) was 95 percent. Sixty-six percent of participants had more severe periodontal pockets (1 or more teeth with 6 mm or more). On average, the mean number of missing teeth was 13, and no filled teeth, suggesting that tooth extraction is the only type of dental care received by senior adults in Hadxaifong District. In agreement with these clinical findings, the most common impacts on quality of life were eating (100%), smiling (52%), and speaking (48%). Seventy-five percent of participants reported having at least one dental visit in their lifetime. The main reason for not having a dental visit was perceived absence of dental problems (41%), never live close to the dentist (30%) and followed by cost (29%). Thus, income, fear and having no time were the barriers to access of oral health care in Hadxaifong District. Oral health care planning needs to emphasize more both prevention and promotion to adults and elderly in Hadxaifong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R.