Impact of oral health factors on quality of life of geriatric population - A systematic review

Abstract

The innumerable special needs and challenges faced by geriatric patients in healthcare has attracted the attention of the modern world. Various basic oral functions contribute to good physical and psychological health and are likely to deteriorate with frailty. The aim of the study was to examine effects of aging on oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) and assess importance of dental care amongst older persons. An electronic search in PubMed Central's database was performed. The search strategy was limited to human studies (single and double-blinded trials, cross-sectional and case-control studies), full-text English articles published from first of January 2010 until the end of April 2021. Irrelevant articles or articles with inadequate information were omitted. Data was searched and analyzed using following MeSH terms/keywords: Geriatric Assessment, Oral Health Related Quality of Life. 43 studies were included. In most of the studies it was identified geriatric assessment is essential to avoid comorbidities in such patients. Furthermore judicious use of polypharmacy is advocated in such patients. An association between OHRQoL and dental care of older people was found. This indicates prevention and early intervention with treatment modalities in the increasing elderly population with an apparent solicitousness of their health needs.