Susan Reisine1, Jean J Schensul2, Jianghong Li2, James Grady3, Toan Ha3, Rajish Lalla4. 1. Division of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut. 2. Institute for Community Research, Hartford, Connecticut. 3. Department of Community Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut. 4. Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to present Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Scores (PS) of older and disabled adults living in low-income senior housing and their association with sociodemographic, health status and oral health behaviours. METHODS: Participants were recruited from six low-income senior housing residences in Connecticut. Primary outcome measures were Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Scores (PS). Surveys assessed sociodemographic characteristic, beliefs and behaviours. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the binary outcomes of probability of unfavourable GI status (>=0.34) and unfavourable PS (>=74%) against variables including demographic characteristics, oral hygiene behaviours and health status. RESULTS: 331 participants volunteered for the study. Mean baseline GI was 0.38 (SD: 0.3), and mean PS was 71.7% (SD: 18%). Logistic regression showed that males were more likely to have higher GI and plaque scores than females. Those with less formal education were more likely to have worse GI scores and high PS compared to those with college educations. Those with lower incomes and those who rated their oral health poor/fair were more likely to have higher PS. CONCLUSION: Participants had remarkably good gingival health regardless of relatively high PS. Males and less educated individuals should receive special attention when implementing oral hygiene interventions because of their relatively poor oral hygiene status.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this paper is to present Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Scores (PS) of older and disabled adults living in low-income senior housing and their association with sociodemographic, health status and oral health behaviours. METHODS:Participants were recruited from six low-income senior housing residences in Connecticut. Primary outcome measures were Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Scores (PS). Surveys assessed sociodemographic characteristic, beliefs and behaviours. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the binary outcomes of probability of unfavourable GI status (>=0.34) and unfavourable PS (>=74%) against variables including demographic characteristics, oral hygiene behaviours and health status. RESULTS: 331 participants volunteered for the study. Mean baseline GI was 0.38 (SD: 0.3), and mean PS was 71.7% (SD: 18%). Logistic regression showed that males were more likely to have higher GI and plaque scores than females. Those with less formal education were more likely to have worse GI scores and high PS compared to those with college educations. Those with lower incomes and those who rated their oral health poor/fair were more likely to have higher PS. CONCLUSION:Participants had remarkably good gingival health regardless of relatively high PS. Males and less educated individuals should receive special attention when implementing oral hygiene interventions because of their relatively poor oral hygiene status.
Authors: S Reisine; J J Schensul; R Goldblatt; K Radda; C Foster-Bey; C Acosta-Glynn; L Miron-Carcamo; E Ioannidou Journal: Community Dent Health Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 1.349