OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between nutritional deficit and oral health problems in noninstitucionalized elderly adults in a Brazilian community. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data were obtained from 267 elderly adults (160 women, 107 men) with ages between 60 and 74 years, identified through a census in the area covered by the Family Health Program in Londrina, Brazil. The Mini Nutritional Assessment score < 24 points was used to identify nutritional deficit. Oral evaluation consisted of an oral exam, measurement of stimulated salivary flow rate, and use of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) for self-perception data. Multivariate analyses were adjusted by sociodemographic variables, depression, and drug consumption. RESULTS: Nutritional deficit was identified in 58 adults (21.7%). Among the dental conditions studied, absence of posterior occlusion (Odds Ratio, OR: 2.18; Confidence Interval, 95% CI: 1.06 - 4.45), stimulated salivary flow rate < 0.7 ml/minute (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.06 - 4.50), advanced periodontal illness (OR: 6.54; 95% CI: 2.03 - 21.00), and negative self perception of oral health (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.59 - 7.33) were associated with nutritional deficit regardless of sex, age, social class, education, smoking, depression, and drug consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health impairment was associated with nutritional deficit and it requires a greater integration between dentistry and nutrition in the health promotion of older adults, especially in the prevention of tooth loss and in the posterior occlusal rehabilitation to avoid obstacles for an adequate diet.
Geriatric assessment; Geriatric dentistry; Nutrition assessment; Oral health; Health of the elderly; Dental health surveys
