Assessment of predictors of global self-ratings of oral health among Korean adults aged 18-95 years.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to assess predictors of global self-ratings of oral health (GSROH) and to examine whether they varied by age among Korean adults aged 18-95 years.


METHODS
Data from 4,546 adults aged 18-95 years completing the Korean National Oral Health Survey 2006 were included in the analysis.


RESULTS
Subjects' mean age was 43.5 years, with 12.1 percent aged > or = 65 years; 47.8 percent were men; and 2.5 percent were edentulous. The predictors of GSROH in adults were number of missing teeth, concern about oral health, and difficulty in chewing. While wearing removable dentures was associated only in elders, perceived treatment need was associated in younger age groups. The number of decayed and filled teeth was significant only in the 18-44 age group.


CONCLUSIONS
GSROH status was associated with measures of oral disease, oral functional problems, oral health behaviors, concerns, and perceived treatment needs, and it varied by age.
Department of Dental Laboratory Science and Engineering, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. kimhaey@eulji.ac.kr [corrected]
Hae-Young
HY
Kim
Lauren L
LL
Patton
Yong-Duk
YD
Park
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004245:DMF Index; D003729:Dental Care; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003778:Dentures / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000523:psychology; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000523:psychology; D014099:Toothbrushing; D055815:Young Adult