Oral Signs, Symptoms, and Behaviors in Older Floridians

Six hundred community-dwelling older Floridians were interviewed regarding the presence of reported signs of dental conditions, dental and oral symptoms, behavioral impact from dental conditions, and orofacial sensory changes. The prevalence of any single oral sign, symptom, or behavioral impact was generally low. A notable exception was the 39 percent prevalence of dry mouth. However, from 10 percent to 29 percent of persons had at least one of these dental signs, dental symptoms, dental behavioral impacts, or sensory changes. These findings are consistent with a noteworthy burden from nonoptimal oral health status, and these burdens were significantly more prevalent in irregular dental attenders, persons with lower household incomes, and persons who reported poorer general health. Inclusion of these non-disease items in an assessment of oral health status seems warranted, and would allow a broader evaluation of oral health outcomes.