일부 치과위생사의 구강노쇠에 관한 인식 조사

A Study on the Recognition of Oral Frailty among Some Dental Hygienists

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between some adults' subjective oral health status and the six items of oral frailty, and to identify the oral health factors that have the greatest influence on oral frailty. Methods: An online survey was conducted from October 9 to November 1, 2024, targeting 193 adults aged 20 or older. We analyzed the general characteristics of the subjects, health and dietary management behaviors, oral management behaviors, subjective oral health status, awareness of oral aging, improvement in oral aging, and 6 oral aging items. Results: The oral senescence progression rate was highest in participants in the 60s at 2.04 points, followed by 1.61, 1.53, 1.52, and 1.49 points in those in the 50s, 20s, 40s, and 30s, respectively; this difference was statistically significant (p=0.014). Factors linked to a higher progression of oral aging included a lower number of residual teeth (β=-0.263, p<0.001), frequent chewing problems (β=0.214, p<0.009), and frequent oral dryness (β=0.202, p=0.016). Conclusions: Poor subjective oral health, low number of residual teeth, chewing problems, sensitivity to hot and cold foods, history of gum disease, and oral dryness were significantly associated with higher progression of oral frailty. Moreover, low residual teeth, chewing problems, and oral dryness strongly influence the progression of oral frailty.