Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of oral care, perceived halitosis, halitosis, interpersonal relationships and oral health-related quality of life and to examine the relationships among these variables.

Methods

The participants were 94 elderly people. The questionnaire included questions on oral care, perceived halitosis, interpersonal relationships, and oral health-related quality of life. Halitosis was measured using odor breath tester.

Results

A total of 63.8% of the elderly did not receive regular oral care. The halitosis score was 1.59, thus indicating moderate halitosis. The current perceived halitosis figure was 1.54, participants responded that they feel slight. There was no significant correlation between halitosis and perceived halitosis. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in halitosis and perceived halitosis according to the oral care. Perceived halitosis was negatively correlated with oral health-related quality of life. Interpersonal relationships were correlated with oral health-related quality of life.

Conclusions

It is necessary to actively promote the need for oral care among the elderly. Moreover, older people need regular oral care to prevent halitosis and improve their oral health-related quality of life.

Key words: Aged; Oral care; Halitosis; Interpersonal relationships; Oral health-related quality of life

REFERENCES

1. Ministry of Health and Welfare. OECD Health statistics. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2019.

2. Ministry of Health and Welfare. Korea Health Statistics. Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-3). Sejong: Ministry of Health & Welfare; 2017.

3. Noh EM, Jeon ES, Ko SY. Relationship of oral health behavior to self-efficacy among the elderly. J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2014;14(2):167-176.

4. World Health Organization (WHO). The definition of oral health [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2004;Accessed Feb 24, 2004]. Available from: https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2004/pr15/en/

5. Kim HJ, Kim JH. A study of the halitosis at urban area in Dae-Gu city. J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2008;8(4):387-393.

6. Jung SJ, Lee MR. A study on halitosis by oral care behavior and the oral environment. J Korea Acad Industr Coop Soc 2016;17(1):629-637.
[Article]

7. Kim YJ, Park KM. Effects on salivation, xerostomia and halitosis in elders after oral function improvement exercises. J Korean Acad Nurs 2012;42(6):898-906.
[Article] [PubMed]

8. Shin KH. Analysis of halitosis components following by sub jective cognition of halitosis and oral state. J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2011;11(2):263-275.

9. Lee YO, Hong JP, Lee TY. Halitosis and related factors among rural residents. J Oral Med Pain 2007;32(5):157-175.

10. Eldarrat J, Alkhabuli , Malik A. The prevalence of self-reported halitosis and oral hygiene practices among libyan students and office workers. Libyan J Med 2008;3(4):170-176.
[Article] [PubMed] [PMC]

11. McKeown L. Social relations and breath odour. Int J Dent Hyg 2003;1(4):213-217.
[Article] [PubMed]

12. Han JS, Hong JH, Choi JS. Factors associated with self-assessment of halitosis in adult. J Korea Contents Assoc 2011;11(12):347-356.
[Article]

13. Park KA, Choi-Kwon S, Park MS. The effects of oral health care education for nursing staff on halitosis and nutrient intake of the elderly in a long-term care facility. J Korean Diet Assoc 2011;17(3):243-258.

14. Cho ES. Effect of self awareness of halitosis on the quality of life related to oral health in patients with chronic renal failure. J Digit Policy Manag 2013;11(12):607-614.
[Article]

15. Lee YS, Park WS, Jung JO. The subjective recognition of halitosis in the elderly in some areas. J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2014;14(5):747-755.
[Article]

16. Heo HY, Shin SC, Cho JW, Park KS. A study about the relationship between worker’s mouth-odor survey and factor analysis. J Korean Acad Dent Health 2005;29(3):368-384.

17. Lee HS, Kim C. Effects of oral health impact profile (OHIP) on depression and quality of life among community-dwelling Korean elderly persons. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs 2012;23(3):338-346.
[Article]

18. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Buchner A, Lang AG. Statistical power analyses using G*power 3.1: tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behav Res Methods 2009;41(4):1149-1160.
[Article] [PubMed]

19. Shin SC, Lee KS. An epidemiological study on malodor status in Korean people. J Korean Acad Dent Health 1999;23(4):343-359.

20. Schlein SP. Training dating couples in empathic and open communication: an experiment of a potential mental health program [unpublished dissertation]. University Park: The Pennsylvania state University; 1971;English.

21. Guerney BG. Relationship enhancement: skill training programs for therapy, program prevention, and enrichment. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1991.

22. Hwang IO. A study on a strategy for strengthening the social adaptation of the dementia aged through [unpublished dissertation]. Busan: Busan National University; 2002;Korean.

23. Slade GD, Spencer AJ. Development and evaluation of the oral health impact profile. Community Dental Health 1994;11(1):3-11.
[PubMed]

24. Robinson PG, Gibson B, Khan FA, Birnbaum W. A comparison of OHIP14 and OIDP as interviewers and questionnaires. Community Dental Health 2001;18(3):144-149.
[PubMed]

25. Wong MC, Lo EC, McMillan AS. Validity of a Chinese version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP). Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2002;30(6):423-430.
[PubMed]

26. Kim JO, Kim NC. Effects of 4% hypertonic saline solution mouthwash on oral health of elders in long term care facilities. J Korean Acad Nurs 2014;44(1):13-20.
[Article] [PubMed]

27. Lee MR, Choi JS. Self-reported halitosis and the associated factors in adults. J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2013;3(2):142-150.

28. Kim EH, Park MK, Ku IY, Moon SJ, Kim SH. The impact of oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) of subjectively reported oral status in the elderly. J Korea Acad Industr Coop Soc 2013;14(9):4349-4358.
[Article]