Dental treatment improves self-rated oral health in homeless veterans--a brief communication.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess homeless veterans' perception of their oral health and the impact that oral disease and treatment have on self-assessed quality of life.


METHODS
Outcomes included measures of general and oral-specific quality of life and functional status. Single-item self-report of oral health and the General Oral Health Assessment Index were assessed at baseline and after treatment.


RESULTS
One hundred and twelve veterans completed the baseline questionnaire, and 48 completed the follow-up. Veterans who were eligible for ongoing dental care had improved General Oral Health Assessment scores, while patients who received only emergency dental care saw a decreased score (2.46 versus -2.12). General Oral Health Assessment improvement was significantly related to fewer teeth at baseline (18 versus 23), a lower baseline General Oral Health Assessment (23.6 versus 28.1), having a denture visit (22 versus 35 percent), and improvement in self-reported oral health (25 versus 42 percent).


CONCLUSIONS
There was significant improvement in homeless veterans'perceived oral health after receiving dental care.
Gibson
Gretchen
G
Fayetteville VA Medical Center, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA. Gretchen.gibson@med.va.gov
Reifenstahl
Erik F
EF
Wehler
Carolyn J
CJ
Rich
Sharron E
SE
Kressin
Nancy R
NR
King
Tracy B
TB
Jones
Judith A
JA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care; D003778:Dentures / Q000523:psychology; D004194:Disease; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D009909:Oral Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013781:Texas; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*