Influence of visual acuity, manual dexterity and handgrip strength on oral and denture hygiene ability of non-frail older people: Development of the Gerostomatological Assessment Battery

Abstract

Background: Due to the heterogeneity of older people, it is difficult to identify reliable factors influencing oral health. Objective: The aim was to illustrate the influence of visual acuity, manual dexterity, and handgrip strength on the oral and denture hygiene ability of older non-frail people. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, conducted at a specialized dental clinic, at baseline, all participants received professional prophylaxis and instruction on daily oral and denture hygiene regimes for a 6-week intervention period. Data on the Quigley and Hein modified plaque index (QHI), respectively, the Denture Hygiene Index (DHI), visual acuity, manual dexterity and handgrip strength in non-frail participants (≥ 65 years) were collected. Recruitment was done within the clinic's patient clientele and within the staff (control cohort). Results: Women showed significantly better manual dexterity than men (Mann–Whitney U, p =.01), while women's mean handgrip strength was significantly lower (Mann–Whitney U, p