Evaluation of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index Based on Oral Health-Related Behaviors and Status of Older Adults in Gangneung-si

Background: This study aimed to assess the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) based on oral health-related behaviors and oral health status among older adults in Gangneung-si. Methods: A total of 77 adults aged 65 years or older in Gangneung-si who voluntarily participated in an oral health care program were included. GOHAI was administered as a self-reported questionnaire to evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). GOHAI consists of 12 items rated on a six-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better oral health and higher QoL. Assessment items included general characteristics, systemic disease, oral health-related behaviors, and tooth and periodontal status. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to assess normality prior to comparing GOHAI scores across independent variables. Depending on normality results, differences in mean scores were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, or the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The highest-scoring item was “Did your teeth or dentures bother you when you wanted to speak?”, whereas the lowest-scoring item was “Were you pleased or happy looking at your teeth, gums, or dentures?” A significant difference was observed according to the number of remaining teeth; participants with 20 or more teeth had higher GOHAI scores (41.86±5.22) than those with 19 or fewer teeth (38.33±3.83; p=0.046). Conclusion: Significant differences in GOHAI scores were found in relation to systemic disease and the number of remaining teeth. These findings can support the development of strategies and policies to improve OHRQoL in older adults in Gangneung-si.