ORAL HEALTH AND ORAL HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS

The aim of the study. The aim of the study was to analyze the oral health of older adults and their quality of life related to it.Material and Methods. A quantitative study was conducted from February to April 2024. The study involved 112 Lithuanian residents, including 90 women and 22 men. The standardized and combined Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire was used.Results. The results showed that the majority of participants use a toothbrush daily (87.5%) and fluoride toothpaste (66.1%), while more than half of the participants do not use dental floss or other additional oral care products. The analysis revealed that participants with lower education levels, lower income, living in rural areas, and those who were single were more likely to experience oral health problems such as dental caries, periodontitis, and dry mouth.The study also showed that participants with chronic systemic diseases and males more often face oral health issues. The results indicated that participants' quality of life is related to their oral health, with an average score of 16.39, and they most often experience physical pain, psychological discomfort, and functional limitations. Poorer quality of life was observed among men, rural residents, single individuals, and those with chronic diseases or lower income.Conclusions. The study results showed that sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, place of residence, education, and income significantly affect participants' oral health. Participants reported various oral health complaints, most frequently experiencing tooth decay (39.3%), tooth sensitivity (29.5%), dry mouth (28.6%), periodontitis (27.7%), and bad breath (27.7%). Chronic systemic diseases impacted participants' oral health. The results revealed that the quality of life related to oral health of the participants was generally good (mean score16.39).