title: Self-perception of oral health in non-institutionalised elderly of Piracicaba city, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To associate the self-perception of oral health with sociodemographic, clinical, quality of life and geriatric depression, evaluating what influence in the self-perception of the elderly and the importance to the oral health.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The current demographic transition and poor oral health of the elderly deserves particular attention, especially the impact of oral health on the quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 371 elderly, aged 60 years or more, adscript to Health Family Units, Piracicaba city, Brazil. Clinically, the indexes decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT), CPI and Use/Need of Prosthesis (WHO/99) were used and evaluated by means of instruments such as the self-perceived oral health [geriatric oral health assessment index (GOHAI)], quality of life (SF-36) and geriatric depression (Geriatric Depression Scale). The statistical analyses were carried out by means of univariate analysis of chi-square and Fisher's exact (α = 0.05) and multiple logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 67.35 (2.8), with a mean DMFT of 28.5 (4.8) and a positive GOHAI score (>30). Most were women (63.3%), between 60 and 70 years (72.2%), married (60.4%), had just the elementary school (75.5%) education. Around 80% used some removable prosthetic. The results were associated with characteristics of self-perception of oral health and were significative of schooling (OR = 2.46) and the emotional aspects of quality of life (OR = 0.30). Over 20% of the sample had traits of depression, and these results were statistically significant (OR = 1.65) when associated with the GOHAI scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational and emotional aspects and geriatric depression are factors that influence the positive self-perception of oral health of elderly people of Piracicaba USFs. These results represent that education, feelings and behaviours deserve special attention in their oral health, thereby approaching the self-perception of real dental condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. claudiaesmeriz@fop.unicamp.br
authors.forename: Cláudia E C
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Esmeriz
authors.forename: Marcelo C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meneghim
authors.forename: Gláucia M B
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ambrosano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D019456:Health Transition; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors