Self‐rated oral health and associated factors in Brazilian elders

Pattussi MP, Peres KG, Boing AF, Peres MA, da Costa JSD. Self‐rated oral health and associated factors in Brazilian elders. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 348–359. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/SAbstract –  Objective:  Self‐rating provides a simple direct way of capturing perceptions of health. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of poor self‐rated oral health among elders.Methods:  National data from a cross‐sectional population‐based study with a multistage random sample of 4786 Brazilian older adults (aged 65–74) in 250 towns were analysed. Data collection included oral examinations (WHO 1997) and struct‐ured interviews at elderly households. The outcome was measured by a single five‐point‐response‐scale question dichotomized into ‘poor’ (fair/poor/very poor) and ‘good’ (good/very good) self‐rated oral health. Data analyses used Poisson regression models stratified by sex.Results:  The prevalence of poor self‐rated oral health was 46.6% (95% CI: 45.2–48%) in the whole sample, 50.3% (48–52.5) in men and 44.2% (42.4–46) in women. Higher prevalence ratios (PR) were found in elders reporting unfavourable dental appearance (PR = 2.31; 95% CI: 2.02–2.65), poor chewing ability (PR = 1.64; CI: 1.48–1.8) and dental pain (PR = 1.44; CI: 1.04–1.23) in adjusted analysis. Poor self‐perception was also associated with being men, black, unfavourable socioeconomic circumstances, unfavourable clinical oral health and with not using or needing a dental prosthesis.Conclusion:  Assessment and understanding of self‐rated oral health should take into account social factors, subjective and clinical oral symptoms.