title: Relationships between higher-level functional capacity and dental health behaviors in community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to elucidate relationships between higher-level functional capacity and dental health behaviours in community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In ageing society, it is necessary to promote oral health in the elderly, because good oral health is a significant contributing factor to good general health. Higher-level functional capacity has been considered a crucial factor for successful independent living in the elderly. We hypothesised that functional capacity is a significant indicator of dental health behaviours.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and thirty-eight adults aged 65 years or older were enrolled in this study. Higher-level functional capacity was evaluated using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-index). Univariate and multivariate models were constructed with dental health behaviours, such as regular visits to a dentist, brushing frequency and use of extra cleaning devices, as the dependent variable, and the total TMIG-index score and its subcategory scores as the principal independent variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between low TMIG-index and 'intellectual activity' subcategory scores to lack of regular visits to a dentist and not using extra cleaning devices. Using a multivariate model, significant relationships remained after adjusting for a number of variables including demographics, medical status, lifestyle and number of remaining teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intellectual activity of higher-level functional capacity may be an accurate indicator of dental health behaviours in community-dwelling older adults. Intellectual activity should be taken into consideration to effectively promote oral health behaviours and oral hygiene in elderly persons living independently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health, National Institute of Public Health, Minami, Wako, Saitama 351-0197, Japan. shyomi@niph.go.jp
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moriya
authors.forename: Kanchu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tei
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitagawa
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D003817:Dentition; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006613:Higher Nervous Activity / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012648:Self Care; D014099:Toothbrushing