Relationship between Oral Health Information Perception and Dental Behaviors in Older people

Abstract

This analytical study aimed to assess the oral health perception, dental health related practices, and affecting factors that were related to dental health behavior in older people. Data used is derived from a part of the evaluation of Thailand oral health plan for the elderly phase 1 (2016-2018). Samples consisted of 1,050 older persons (aged >/ 60 years), Two-Stage Sampling technique was used. Ten provinces were chosen by simple random from 4 regions including Chiang Rai, Pichit, Sing Buri, Kanchanaburi, Prachinburi, Chantaburi, Buriram, Nakhon Panom, Pattalung, and Surat Thani. Data was collected by interviewing and analyzed by percentage, means, standard deviation, and inferential statistics were analyzed by Multiple logistic regression. Results showed that dental health message received by samples the most were toothbrushing twice a day and brushing at bedtime, and the least was the use of additional cleaning devices such as dental floss. Dental health related frequently practices (behaviors) were brushing twice a day 71.8%, brushing at bedtime 68.8% and oral examination once a year 23.7%. Behaviors were different statistical significantly (p=0.000) between samples who received dental health message and those who did not. Media channels in which the elderly received dental health information were 55% televisions, posters/Leaflets 24.3%, radio 14.5 %, and the least accessibility is the online platform 5.4 %. Samples 66.3% utilized dental services in the last year. The correlation analysis showed the affecting factors (p<0.05) receiving toothbrushing at bedtime message was significantly related to brushing at bedtime behavior (p= 0.018). Perception of health services places related to yearly dental service utilization (p=0.001) and previous dental health services received in nearby health facility related to yearly dental service utilization (p=0.008).