Older adults' dependence in activities of daily living: Implications for oral health.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between ADL and oral health status in older adults.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Quantitative, analytical, cross-sectional research with 280 people aged ≥60 in public primary health care centers in the city of Fortaleza, Northeastern Brazil.

MEASURES: Collection of sociodemographic data, oral discomfort data, and general health data and application of the Community Oral Health Indicator-COHI and the activities of daily living scale.

RESULTS: Significant differences in functional dependence were found between age groups (p < .001), incomes (p = .034), and levels of education (p = .003). Tooth loss (OR = 2.13; p = 0.025), having no teeth (OR = 2.97), difficulties in chewing and swallowing food (OR = 2.56; p = 0.003), problems with taste of food (OR = 2.06; p = .044), poor self-rated general health (OR = 3.7; p = .001), hearing problems (OR = 2.23; p = .009) and speech problems (OR = 3.15; p = .002) increased chances for functional dependence. Dependent individuals were less likely to use toothpaste, thereby increasing the potential for caries (p = .013). Age 80 or older (p < .001), ages 70-79 (p < .001), three or more visible dental cavities (p = .030) and difficulty chewing and swallowing food (p = .027) remained associated with dependence in ADL in the logistic regression model.

CONCLUSION: Functional dependence in activities of daily living has implications for the oral health status of older people.