An Index of Chewing Ability

This study was carried out to develop and test an index of chewing ability suitable for epidemiologic surveys. Existing data on older adults living independently in East York, Ontario, were reanalyzed and the index was developed using techniques of scalogram analysis. Individuals were scored from 0 to 5 based on their self-reported ability to chew the most difficult of five foods. In this representative sample, 77 percent scored 5. The index has high predictive values when compared to two other questions on chewing ability in the survey. Among those with chewing disability (scoring 0 to 4), the odds ratio (OR) for being edentulous was 4.1 (95%) Cl = 2.1-8.3). No factor influenced chewing ability among the edentulous. Among the dentate, several clinical dental health status measures appeared to influence chewing ability. Logistic analysis identified the absence of functioning opposing pairs of natural posterior teeth, OR 5.6 (95% Cl = 2.21-14.39), and the need for urgent care, OR 23.7 (95% Cl = 1.05-6.95), as the most important.