Subjective Symptoms, Health Awareness, and Education Related to the Status and Implementation of Oral Hygiene Care for Community-Dwelling Older Adults

<p>　This study investigates the current state of oral hygiene care in community-dwelling older adults and clarifies related subjective symptoms, health awareness, and education factors.<br>　Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were 638 older adults above 65 years of age.<br>　We examined the basic attributes of participants and the status of oral hygiene care. The relationship between oral hygiene care status and basic attributes of participants were analyzed using the χ² test or Fisher’s exact test.<br>　Results: We received responses from 410 older adults participants. The highest implementation rate of oral hygiene care was 75.4% for interdental cleaning and the highest rate for using interdental cleaning of tools was 51.7%. Oral hygiene care was implemented among older adults, women, those unaware of the difficulties of oral care, those interested in oral care, those who visited with the dentist regularly, and those with experience of receiving oral care instruction (P<0.05).<br>　Discussion: For older adults to manage their oral hygiene, it is necessary to use hassle-free approaches and methods, encourage their interest, and promote professional guidance.<br>　Conclusion: Oral hygiene practices were associated with oral health awareness and education.</p>