Shinsuke Mizutani1,2, Hisae Aoki3, Satoru Haresaku3, Kaoru Shimada3, Michio Ueno4, Keiko Kubota3, Toru Naito5. 1. Section of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. 2. OBT Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. 3. Department of Nursing, Fukuoka Nursing College, Fukuoka, Japan. 4. National Hospital Organization Fukuoka-higashi Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan. 5. Section of Geriatric Dentistry, Department of General Dentistry, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the relationships between subjective well-being and the existence of primary care dentists in community-dwelling elderly people. BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported subjective well-being focusing on oral health, but no studies have examined the relationship between subjective well-being and primary care dentists. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from community-dwelling elderly people aged ≥70 years (n = 624). The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS; range = 0 [low morale]-17) was used to assess subjective well-being. Additional information regarding age group, sex, medical consulting situation (ambulatory care/home care), primary care dentists, family structure, economic status, health status was collected via questionnaire. RESULTS: The average PGCMS score in ambulatory care patients (ACP) group who have primary care dentists was highest among community-dwelling elderly people. In a logistic regression model, a low PGCMS score (0-11) was independently correlated to 80-89 age group (OR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13-2.54; P = 0.008), ≥90 age group (OR = 3.86; 95% CI, 1.83-8.18; P < 0.001), unsatisfied for economic status (OR = 2.68; 95% CI, 1.59-4.53; P < 0.001), unsatisfied for health status (OR = 3.94; 95% CI, 2.60-5.98; P < 0.001) and having no primary care dentists (OR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.09-3.01; P = 0.021) in ACP group. CONCLUSIONS: The subjective well-being of ACP who have primary care dentists was higher than in other people. Primary dentists contributed to the subjective well-being of elderly people.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the relationships between subjective well-being and the existence of primary care dentists in community-dwelling elderly people. BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported subjective well-being focusing on oral health, but no studies have examined the relationship between subjective well-being and primary care dentists. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from community-dwelling elderly people aged ≥70 years (n = 624). The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS; range = 0 [low morale]-17) was used to assess subjective well-being. Additional information regarding age group, sex, medical consulting situation (ambulatory care/home care), primary care dentists, family structure, economic status, health status was collected via questionnaire. RESULTS: The average PGCMS score in ambulatory care patients (ACP) group who have primary care dentists was highest among community-dwelling elderly people. In a logistic regression model, a low PGCMS score (0-11) was independently correlated to 80-89 age group (OR = 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13-2.54; P = 0.008), ≥90 age group (OR = 3.86; 95% CI, 1.83-8.18; P < 0.001), unsatisfied for economic status (OR = 2.68; 95% CI, 1.59-4.53; P < 0.001), unsatisfied for health status (OR = 3.94; 95% CI, 2.60-5.98; P < 0.001) and having no primary care dentists (OR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.09-3.01; P = 0.021) in ACP group. CONCLUSIONS: The subjective well-being of ACP who have primary care dentists was higher than in other people. Primary dentists contributed to the subjective well-being of elderly people.