Hopelessness, depression and oral health concerns reported by community dwelling older Australians.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this analysis was to explore whether, and if so to what extent, there is an association between self-reported oral and mental health problems, and if this association exists after controlling for self-rated physical health and age.


METHODS
A large cross-sectional population-based telephone health survey with participants selected using random stratified sampling. The response rate was 71%. Survey weights were used for estimating proportions and for all statistical inferences.


METHODS
Participants (n=8,881) were community-dwelling older people (65+ years) living independently in New South Wales, Australia.


METHODS
The following measures were used in the analysis: physical health (1 item); oral health (5 items), mental health (2 items). Trends in prevalences across groups were analysed using the Cochrane-Armitage trend test. Logistic regression modelling was conducted to account for the main confounders of age and self-rated physical health, and attributable fractions calculated.


RESULTS
Both measures of mental health, feeling hopeless and feeling depressed, were significantly and positively associated with increased reporting of oral health concerns in both males and females. Logistic regression modelling showed that most of the oral health items remained strongly associated with mental health after controlling for self-rated physical health and age. The attributable fractions demonstrated that a proportion of the mental health problems identified in older people would be reduced if oral health concerns were adequately addressed.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight the association between oral and mental health, and provide evidence to support the expansion of publicly funded dental health services.
School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. sueq@health.usyd.edu.au
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Morrell
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D009909:Oral Health; D012647:Self-Assessment