earticle

영어

Purpose: This study aimed to obtain basic data on oral health improvement by investigating the EQ-5D index according to the oral prosthesis status of elderly persons aged 65 years or older in Korea using the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: In this study, 3,426 elderly persons aged 65 years or older were included to analyze the relationship between the dental prostheses status and EQ-5D index in the collected data. Results: Compared to the “complete denture” in oral prosthesis, EQ in case of no dental prostheses or fixed dental prostheses is comparable to removable prosthetics such as “no dental prostheses,” “one fixed bridge,” and “two or more fixed bridges.” Removable partial denture and complete denture required for the maxillary and mandibular EQ-5D index were significantly higher in “not necessary” than in “complete denture necessary” in all the elderly persons. Conclusion: The condition of the dental prosthesis and the need for a removable partial denture and complete denture for the elderly’s EQ-5D index were confirmed, and it was found that the fixed dental prostheses were more effective than the removable dental prostheses. Therefore, oral health education programs for the elderly should be developed to promote dental function and oral health maintenance.