Abstract
Objectives : The purpose of this study was identified about oral health status and oral health needs of elderly. Moreover this study would be based further research of development of oral health in elderly. Methods : This study was undertaken to determine the oral health status and the need of oral management of over 65years elderly who were with dental prosthesis in elderly welfare center and Kyung Ro Dong in Kyung Bok and Kyung Nam. The results were as follows. Results : The sample was 200 participants. The demographical characteristic were that 74.0% of participant was female, 29.0% of participant was 75~79 years old, 42.5% of participant was under elementary, and 45.5% of participant was living alone. 43.7% of participant was pain from muscle-skeletal disease, 37.1% of participant was cardiac-vascular disease, and 31.1% of participant was ophthalmic disease. In oral health status, 54.5% of participant was partly artificial tooth and 45% of participant was whole artificial tooth. 78.0% of participant used under 10 years with partly artificial tooth and only 27.4% were satisfaction with artificial tooth. 83.5% of participant used under 10 years with whole artificial tooth and only 26.4% were satisfaction with artificial tooth. In the oral health status of partly artificial tooth, the average of toothbrush was 2 times, 42.2%. The majority method of toothbrush was 'their own freely' 55.0%. The time of toothbrush was 'after meal' 81.8%. The study result showed that majority participant didn't experience of tongue brush, regular examination, scaling, and oral health education. In the need of oral management with the whole artificial tooth, the participant who used longer artificial tooth was significantly higher about artificial irrigation and the method of management(p<.05). The need of participant who answered 'don't gum massage', was higher of xerostomia treatment(p<.01) and halitosis treatment(p<.05). In the need of oral management with the partly artificial tooth, the participant who used longer artificial tooth was significantly higher about regular examination(p<.01), oral cavity massage(p<.05), scaling(p<.05), dental caries treatment(p<.01). The need of participant who answered 'don't satisfaction with artificial tooth' was higher of regular examination and scaling(p<.05). Conclusions : Oral management needs of elderly who kept artificial tooth or denture required were regular dental examination, xerostomia management, management of artificial tooth and irrigation, and management of bad breath. This results meaned the oral health intervention program for elderly was developed regularly.