Assessment of Oral Health-related Quality of Life among the Elderly Population in Western India – A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Globally, the aging population is increasing, projected to double by 2050. One of the primary challenges confronting the ageing population worldwide is oral health issues, ranging from loose dentition to somatic symptoms. The consequences of these health issues frequently impact the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of the elderly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 elderly individuals residing in a rural setting of Western India. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic data sheet, an oral health profile, and the geriatric oral health assessment index (GOHAI) through face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of the elderly was 68.34 ± 7.7 years. Regarding oral hygiene practices, approximately 57% of the participants preferred brushing. A significant proportion (72%) of the elderly regularly brushed their teeth once daily. On the GOHAI, 49% of subjects reported a moderate level of OHRQoL with a mean score of 50.13 ± 5.02. The advancing age, type of teeth and dental checkup were identified as prominent predictors to OHRQoL (P < 0.05). Education demonstrated a nonsignificant trend, whereas gender and socioeconomic status were not significantly associated with OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of the elderly had moderate-to-poor OHRQoL. The most significantly affected domain was physical function. The situation is further exacerbated by several associated factors, which necessitate a thorough assessment to enable the development of timely, proactive strategies to improve the OHRQoL of this vulnerable population.