An Analysis of Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Oral Health-related Quality of Life in the Elderly

This study aims to empirically analyze whether the socioeconomic factors of the elderly have effects on their oral health-relatedquality of life. For this purpose, the study explained major socioeconomic factors that could have effects on the oral health-related qualityof life of the elderly through a theoretical review. The study then conducted a panel regression analysis by organizing the data of 2018(7th)and 2020(8th) Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA) into a balanced panel and applying a fixed effect model. The analysis resultsshow that employment, gross household income, net household assets, and private health insurance purchasing had statistically significantpositive effects on the oral health-related quality of life of the elderly over time. These analysis results demonstrate that socioeconomicfactors have a huge impact on the oral health-related quality of life of the elderly. Based on these findings, the study discussed the perspectiveof health equity, offered policy implications to enhance the oral health-related quality of life of the elderly, and mentioned a need for afollow-up study.