The Effects of Dental Status and Chewing Efficiency on the Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life of Nursing-Home Residents

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dental status and chewing efficiency on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of nursing-home residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in nine nursing homes. All eligible participants were included, and general and medical data, information about nutritional status and their dental and prosthetic status were collected. Chewing efficiency was assessed by means of a two-colour mixing-ability test. The simple count version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (SC-GOHAI) was used to evaluate participants’ OHRQoL, and the Mini-Mental State Examination to classify the presence of cognitive impairment. Univariate and multivariate regression models were used to analyse data. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 82.1 (± 9.8) years and most participants suffered from at least very mild cognitive impairment. OHRQoL for all participants (n = 143) and denture wearers only (n = 105) was substantially associated with the type of prosthesis, the presence of natural teeth, the number of functional occluding pairs and dental and denture-related (if applicable) treatment needs. Furthermore, in both model’s univariate analysis showed that chewing efficiency also affected OHRQoL. In contrast, multivariate analysis of all participants revealed that only a higher number of functional occluding pairs (C: 0.250; p < 0.001), fewer dental treatment needs (C: −1.733; p = 0.019) and a better nutritional status (C: −1.298; p = 0.048) were relevant for better OHRQoL. For denture wearers, a higher number of functional occluding pairs (C: 0.192; p = 0.011), a better denture condition (C: −2.194; p= 0.003) and a higher body mass index (BMI) (C: 0.145; p = 0.006) were the main variables associated with better OHRQoL among participants. CONCLUSION: Good oral health and oral function, including chewing efficiency, are associated with a high OHRQoL of nursing-home residents. However, few dental treatment needs, well-fitting dentures without treatment needs and a high number of functional occluding pairs seem to be the principal variables for an acceptable OHRQoL of nursing-home residents.