[Self-perception of oral health in older adults from Mexico City].

Background: Quality of life related to oral health is assessed through the individual’s self-perceived oral health (SPOH). The objective is to determine SPOH in relation to socio-demographic and health characteristics in older adults beneficiaries from the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) in Mexico City.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. We used data collection with questionnaire and assessment scales related to socio-demographic, health and dependency variables, as well as the visit to the dentist, the use of removable dental prostheses and SPOH. The self-perception means (Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index-GOHAI) were calculated, and we used Student’s t, ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests.

Results: 60.5% were women; the average age of population was 68.23 ± 7.0. GOHAI total mean was 48.07 (48.05-48.08). Compared to their counterparts, people with the next features showed marked improvement in SPOH: of 60-69 years of age, separated or divorced, ≥ 7 years of study, paid work, living alone, no smoking, drinking alcohol, with a good health perception, low weight, no cognitive impairment, no depression, no anxiety, no comorbidity, consumption < 5 drugs, with limitations in basic activities, without limitations in instrumental activities, who did not visit the dentist and who did not use removable prosthesis.

Conclusion: The concept of quality of life essentially incorporates the SPOH as a need in the evaluation of health outcomes.