Older adults’ perceptions of oral health and its influence on general health : A deductive direct content analysis

• Oral health is a complex issue associated with social and behavioral factors and general health. Therefore, this study aims to explore Swedish older adults’ perceptions of oral health and its influence on general health, based on the World Dental Federation's (FDI) definition and framework of oral health. The study adopted a descriptive qualitative design. Data were collected from semi-structured individual and focus group interviews with older adults (n = 23) and were analyzed with deductive direct content analysis. The study was evaluated using the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. The older adults described the importance of good oral health in the physical, social, emotional, and mental aspects of their daily lives. The findings also indicate that older adults described oral health as multifaceted and agreed with the FDI's definition and framework of oral health. Therefore, the study findings might provide healthcare professionals with new knowledge and further insight into older adults’ perceptions of oral health and its influence on their well-being and general health. 

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

aged

article

checklist

clinical article

content analysis

controlled study

female

health

human

human experiment

interview

male

perception

qualitative research

wellbeing

deductive direct content analysis

general health

older adults

oral health

oral healthcare

Wellbeing in long-term health problems (WeLHP)

Välbefinnande vid långvariga hälsoproblem (WeLHP)

Familjecentrerad hälsa (FamCeH)

Family-Centred Health

deductive direct content analysis

general health

older adults

oral health

oral healthcare

aged

article

checklist

clinical article

content analysis

controlled study

female

health

human

human experiment

interview

male

perception

qualitative research

wellbeing

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)