Relationships of physical health to oral health and use of dental service in elderly diabetic patients at Primary Care Unit in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Oral health is a part of physical health, but only 7.63% of this population accesses dental services, with a frequency of 0.12 visits per year. This reflects that the elderly may have difficulty in accessing dental services. The researcher aimed to study the relationship between physical health and oral health, as well as the factors influencing the use of dental services in a Primary Care Unit.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted. A survey for patients aged 60 and older with diabetes at a Primary Care Unit to identify factors that affected oral health and dental service utilization in the past year. Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regression

Results: Of the 156 respondents, 66 people underwent physical and oral health examinations. The results indicated that physical health was significantly associated with dental caries and periodontal diseases (p < 0.05). Experiencing tooth pain, perceiving that diabetes affects oral health, and needing assistance to access dental services were significantly associated with the use of dental services in the past year (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Physical health and diabetes are related to tooth decay and periodontal disease, with shared factors including complications from diabetes. Factors related to the use of dental services include tooth pain, awareness that diabetes affects oral health, and the need for assistance in accessing services, which results in better oral health for those who use dental services. Therefore, it is recommended to have dentists stationed at primary care centers so that the public can access dental services and achieve better oral health.

Keywords: elderly, diabetes, oral health, dental service, Primary Care Unit