Association Between Self‐Reported Psychiatric Diseases and Oral Health Among Older Adults

AIMS: This study assessed the association between self-reported psychiatric diseases and the number of present teeth in older adults. METHODS: It was included 569 older adults selected using a probabilistic per cluster sampling strategy. Structured questionnaire was applied, and an oral health examination was performed. Self-reported psychiatric diseases were defined as the primary exposure, while the number of present teeth was the outcome. Adjusted analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance (α < 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported psychiatric disease was 16.5% (n = 94; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 13.5%-19.6%). In the final adjusted model, lower number of present teeth was associated with self-reported psychiatric diseases (rate ratio [RR]:0.69; 95% CI:0.51-0.94). Women (RR:0.72; 95% CI:0.61-0.84), those without access to the dentist (RR:0.54; 95% CI:0.45-0.65), and of higher age (RR:0.96; 95% CI:0.94-0.97) also presented lower number of present teeth when compared to their counterparts. Those with medium level of education presented higher number of teeth (RR:1.68; 95% CI: 1.43-1.98). CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with self-reported psychiatric diseases, females, and those without dental access exhibited higher rates of tooth loss. Public policies should aim to integrate mental and oral health, ensuring equitable access to dental care for these most vulnerable groups.