Objectives: The objectives were to investigate the association between oral functional status (defined by the number of functional teeth and functional occluding units [FOUs]) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). It also aimed to determine if dentures could compensate for the loss of FOUs in terms of OHRQoL in community-dwelling older adults in Singapore.
Methods: Community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 years and above, were recruited from a community-based oral health functional screening programme from 1 May 2018 to 31 December 2019. During the screening, an Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire and oral examination were administered. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, univariate logistic regression and multivariate predictive modelling.
Results: Data from 1037 participants were analysed (52% female; mean age 71.5 (SD 7.15)). The mean OHIP-14 score was 4.5 ± 7.2. The OHIP-14 scores were significantly associated with the number of functional teeth and the number of FOUs (p < .001). Having at least 20 functional teeth or 10 FOUs was associated with a significantly lower OHIP-14 score. Those with no FOUs had higher OHIP-14 scores compared to those with at least 10 FOUs, even in the presence of a satisfactory denture.
Conclusion: Maintaining at least 20 functional teeth or 10 FOUs was associated with better OHRQoL among community-dwelling older adults in Singapore. Dentures may have limited compensatory ability in terms of replacing natural functional occlusal units and maintaining OHRQoL.
Keywords: dentures; functional occlusal units; functional status; mastication; older adults; oral health‐related quality of life; tooth loss.
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