• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.74-90
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• 2021

Background: It is getting important to improve the oral health status of the elderly because oral health status may affect their health status of the whole body. In this respect, we aimed to explore the association of oral health status and behavior factors with self-rated health status by sex. Methods: Using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for health surveys and oral examinations (2016-2018), we analyzed a total of 3,070 people aged 65 or older (men: 1,329; women: 1,741). Our dependent variable, self-rated health status, was divided into two groups: not good (bad and very bad) and good (very good, good, and fair), whereas our independent variables of interest were oral health status and behavior factors. In addition to descriptive analysis and the Rao-Scott chi-square test, reflecting survey characteristics, we conducted hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and health status and behavior factors. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results: The proportion of people having 'not good' self-rated health was 36.5% in women but 24.5% in men. In a model adjusted for all covariates, the self-rated health status showed significant association with the self-rated oral health status. For example, in men, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'poor' (odds ratio [OR], 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-12.03) self-rated oral health status and in those having 'fair' (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68-9.70) in comparison with those having 'good' self-rated oral health status. Dental status regarding speaking difficulty seemed to be very important in influencing self-rated health status. For instance, in women, compared to people having 'no discomfort' speaking difficulty, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'not bad' (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14-2.24) and 'discomfort' (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30-2.47) speaking difficulty. The covariates significantly associated with the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health were: physical activity, chronic disease, stress, and body mass index in both sexes; health insurance type and drinking only in men; and economic activity only in women. Conclusion: Oral health status and behavioral factors were associated with self-rated health status among the elderly, differently by sex. This suggests that public health policies toward better health in the elderly should take their oral health status and oral health behaviors into account in a sex-specific way.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2013

This study was aimed to evaluate the masticatory efficiency after botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection during 12 weeks using objective and subjective test. Also, we compared the difference of masticatory efficiency between group that injected into the masseter muscle only (M-group) and group that injected into the masseter and temporalis muscle (M-T group). The mixing ability index (MAI) was used as the objective indicator, and visual analogue scale (VAS) and food intake ability (FIA) index were used as the subjective indicators. It was concluded that masticatory efficiency was significantly lowered after a BTX-A injection into the masticatory muscle, but it gradually recovered in a predictable pattern by the 12 weeks. The disturbance of subjective masticatory efficiency was lasted longer than objective masticatory efficiency. The masticatory efficiency was lower in M-T group than M group. It was statistically significant in the VAS and FIA at 4 weeks, but the MAI showed no significancy. After 4weeks, there was rapid recovery of muscle function in M-T group, and the difference between two groups was not significant. It could be concluded that there will be no serious disturbance of mastication compared to injection is done only into the masseter muscle, even if injection is done into the masseter and temporalis muscle in dose of this study. According to the food properties, it was confirmed that people feel more discomfort on taking hard and tough foods after BTX-A injection and not only hard foods, but also intake of soft and runny foods were influenced by botulinum toxin injection.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-147
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• 2008

The results are as following. This study aimed to furnish basic data for improving the oral health of the elderly by conducting research into the relationship between denture satisfaction and the perceived oral health status of elderly people with removable dentures. The study performed research involving 246 elderly people who were living in Jeonju and Iksan, jeonbuk, and who were 65 years old or over from August 1 to December 5, 2007. The research method was a face-to-face interview. 1. The denture satisfaction of respondents for the research averaged $3.74{\pm}0.69$, and there was a significant difference in their satisfaction according to the level of education, the cohabitant family type, the procurement of living expenses, the performance of leisure activity, the period of current denture use, the number of denture changes, the experience during a dentist visit for denture maintenance, the experience of restricted activity due to annual oral diseases, and the opinions about denture prices. 2. 48.8% of respondents answered that their oral health status was good, and there was a significant difference in their satisfaction according to the procurement of living expenses, the total period of denture use, the period of current denture use, the number of denture changes, the experience of restricted activity due to annual oral diseases, and the opinions about denture prices. 3. The most highly influential variable affecting denture satisfaction was the opinions about denture prices(R=33.7%). 4. The most highly influential variable affecting the perceived oral health status was the educational level(R=17.3%). 5. As a result of analyzing the relationship between denture satisfaction and perceived oral health status, more respondents were satisfied with their dentures the more they thought their oral health status was in good shape.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.871-879
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to the awareness level of community water fluoridation program. Methods : 700 subjects were surveyed among the residents living in Incheon Metropolitan City. Data were collected on awareness of community water fluoridation program, general factors, oral health behavior, self-reported oral health and oral health interest. The factors related to the awareness level of community water fluoridation program were analyzed by t-test, a one way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis. Results : 1. Subjects' ages were 40~59 years, monthly average incomes were more than 3 million won and higher their educational levels had a higher awareness level of community water fluoridation program(p<0.01). 2. People who brushed their teeth more than three times a day, used oral hygiene devices, and had periodic oral examination and removed plaques were had higher awareness level of community water fluoridation program(p<0.01). Especially, the use of oral hygiene devices was the strongest factor in relation with the awareness level of community water fluoridation program(p<0.01). 3. People who had a fine self-reported oral health, highly interested in dental hygiene and made an effort to keep oral health were had higher awareness level of community water fluoridation program(p<0.001). Conclusions : The awareness level of community water fluoridation program was related to oral health behavior, self-reported oral health and oral health interest. So, in order to expand the areas for community water fluoridation program, it is important to educate to the right information about objectives, safety, dental caries preventing effect of the community water fluoridation program. And the education and publicity on general oral health will have an affirmative effect on expanding community water fluoridation program.