The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Oral Health Among Elderly People

Background: Depression and oral health problems are common in the elders. They are often not well-diagnosed and treated properly. Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the prediction role of depressive symptoms on the oral health of elderly people. Methods: In this descriptive-correlation study, 206 elderly people were selected using a stratified random sampling method from Health Centers of Qaemshahr, Iran. Data were collected by questionnaires including the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Cognitive State Test (COST), and the socio-demographic questionnaire. Dental history and cardiovascular risk factors were also documented. Multiple linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: Two hundred six elders were evaluated. Forty-three percent were aged between 65 - 74 (67.717.28), 53% were female. The results of the study showed that over 76% of participants had mild depression. Depression (Beta = 0.17, P = 0.01) and cognitive status (Beta = 0.29, P < 0.001) were predictors of oral health. The predictive power of this model was 24%. Conclusions: Depression and cognitive status were those factors that could predict elders’ oral health condition. Any oral health care program for elders would be better to be provided as a package that evaluates elders’ cognitive status, depression, and oral health condition.