Impact of Dental Disorders on Self-rated Dental Health Status of the Elderly in Selected Rural Communities in Kenya

Abstract Low prioritization of oral care for the elderly and inadequacy of resources results in high prevalence of dental disorders in this population in most African countries. This study aimed at assessing the impact of self-rated dental health among the elderly in Kenya. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 300 subjects in parts of Karachuonyo sub-county of Homa Bay County, Kenya. The sample size was determined using Yamane’s formula based on a study population of 1159. Data was collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Majority (64%) of the respondents were aged 65-74 years. Female respondents were more (55.3%) than males (44.75). Further, 8 in 10 of the study sample never had any formal employment with nearly the same proportion (79.3%) self-rating their economic status as poor. Nearly 7 out of 10 (67%) respondents had lost at least one tooth due to medical extraction whereas half of the respondents (52.3%) were having at least one carious tooth at the time of data collection. Tooth loss had the strongest impact on self-rated dental health (X 2 =27.818, p<0.00001, φ = 0.305) followed by tooth mobility (X 2 =27.180, p <0.00001, φ = 0.301), gingival bleeding (X 2 =19.378, p=0.000011, φ = 0.254) and cavities (X 2 =17.757, p=0.000025, φ = 0.243). The study established that dental disorders significantly but disproportionately impacted self-rated dental health of the elderly, with tooth loss being the leading disorder. Increasing provision of services for the elderly for dental health needs is critical in Kenya as in most African countries.