The relationship between oral function and knowledge in patients with oral hypofunction.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24129
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College Junior College (2020-2021); Tokyo Dental College (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Nakata Haruka 東京歯科大学短期大学, 歯科衛生学科, 講師 (40844634)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔機能低下症 / オーラルフレイル / 意識調査 / 動機付け / 口腔機能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitude toward oral function in middle-aged and older adults, and changes through evaluation and education. The results showed that oral function was significantly worse in the negative compared to the positive response group, and this was more likely to be in older adults. Middle-aged and older individuals with poor knowledge and attitudes were more likely to have worsening oral function; however, their knowledge and attitude toward oral function could be improved through oral function assessment and education. It is important to promote oral management from an early age to prevent oral function decline and frailty.

Free Research Field

口腔保健学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

口腔機能の低下は口腔のみならず全身の健康にも影響するといわれている。加齢に伴い口腔機能は低下するため，高齢者に対して適切な診断，管理，動機付けを行うことが口腔機能の維持や回復に重要である。本研究において患者の口腔機能に対する認識および関心が口腔機能にどのように関連するか検討したところ，口腔機能への認識や関心が低い者は口腔機能も低下している傾向がみられた。しかし検査や指導で意識改善がみられたため，口腔機能を維持向上させるためには早期の介入や意識付けが重要であることが示唆された。