ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE

To analyze if the self-perception of oral health in the urban context is associated with sociodemographic factors that interfere in the life quality of oral health.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with convenience sample of older individuals (65 years old or more) enrolled in the Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde de Lisboa Norte (ACES Lisboa Norte – Health Centers Groupings North Lisbon). The self-perception of oral health and associated life quality was evaluated by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index and the individuals were classified according to sociodemographic characteristics. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha (α). Later, we used binary logistic regression models to characterize the factors associated with the self-perception of oral health, considering the sociodemographic variables and the older adults’ clinical conditions of oral health and establishing the crude and adjusted (to age) odds ratios and their 90% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 369 older adults participated in this study, with an average age of 74.2 years (SD = 6.75); 62.9% were female. On average, the index was moderated, with tendency to be high: 32.9 (SD = 3.6; 12-36 interval). The Cronbach’s alpha was high: 0.805. Age, marital status, and the last dental appointment were the factors significantly associated with self-perception of oral health.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that these individuals have a moderate, with tendency to high, self-perception of oral health. The self-perception of oral health assessment allowed us to identify the main associated sociodemographic factors. This instrument can help guiding planning strategies and oral health promotion directed toward a better life quality for this population group.

Older Adults; Self-Assessment; Oral Health; Socioeconomic Factors; Cross-Sectional Studies

INTRODUCTION

According to the United Nations^aaUnited Nations, Population Division, Departmenet of Economic and Social Affairs. Old-age dependency ratio 65+/(20-64) by major area, region and country, 1950-2100 (ratio of population 65+ per 100 population 20-64). New York; 2011., the aging of the world population is a lasting phenomenon with global characteristics, affecting the whole society at all levels and requiring deep social changes.

In Portugal, population aging emphasizes the need for public health policies that focus on the maintenance of a satisfactory life quality at that age. According to the 2011 Censuses, Lisbon presents high level of aging, coming out from 103 older adults per 100 young people, in 2001, to 140 older adults per 100 young people in 2011, and is, at the same time, the city with lowest percentage of young people (12.9%)^bbInstituto Nacional de Estatística. Censos 2011: resultados definitivos - Região Lisboa. Lisboa; 2013 [cited 2014 Feb 16]. Available from: http://migre.me/uFEvS .

Population aging increases the growing need to set acceptable standards of oral health to contribute to a better general health and well-being state¹²12. Mariño R, Abala C, Sanchez H, Cea X, Fuentes A. Self-assessed oral-health status and quality of life of older Chilean. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2013;56(3):513-7. DOI:10.1016/j.archger.2012.12.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2012.1... . To this end, we need epidemiological data that quantify the oral health conditions of older adults. This type of information is essential to the planning, organization, and monitoring of the provided oral health services²²22. Silva DD, Held RB, Torres SVS, Sousa MLR, Neri AL, Antunes JLF. Autopercepção da saúde bucal em idosos e fatores associados em Campinas, SP, 2008-2009. Rev Saude Publica. 2011;45(6):1145-53. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102011005000068
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910201100... .

The literature suggests that, in addition to clinical data of evaluation by health professionals, data should be collected on indicators of self-perception, especially relating to oral health conditions and treatment needs perceived by older adults²²22. Silva DD, Held RB, Torres SVS, Sousa MLR, Neri AL, Antunes JLF. Autopercepção da saúde bucal em idosos e fatores associados em Campinas, SP, 2008-2009. Rev Saude Publica. 2011;45(6):1145-53. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102011005000068
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910201100... . In this sense, various sociodental indicators have been developed to measure how oral health changes compromise the life quality and well-being of individuals. This includes subjective measures such as pain or discomfort, aesthetic problems, restrictions on feeding, communication, affective relationships, daily activities, and physical and psychological well-being of individuals¹¹11. Locker D, Allen F. What do measures of ‘oral health-related quality of life’ measure? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2007;35(6):401-11. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0528.2007.00418.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2007... . From the instruments developed to evaluate these indicators, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP), Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQOL), and Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) stand out³3. Bravo M, Cortés J, Casals E, Llena C, Almerich-Silla JM, Cuenca E. Basic oral health goals for Spain 2015/2020. Int Dent J. 2009;59(2):78-82. DOI:10.1922/IDJ_2035Cortes05
https://doi.org/10.1922/IDJ_2035Cortes05... . The latter was developed specifically for the older adults’ population⁴4. Cárdenas SD, Vergara KA, Martínez KR. Impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida de adultos mayores. Rev Clin Med Fam. 2012;5(1):9-16. DOI:10.4321/S1699-695X2012000100003
https://doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X201200... .

The aim of this study was to analyze if the self-perception of oral health in the urban context is associated with sociodemographic factors that interfere in the life quality of oral health.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Health Service in Portugal

In Portugal, the Ministry of Health is responsible for the development of health policies, as well as for the management of the National Health Service (NHS). There are five regional health administrations (ARS) – ARS Alentejo, ARS Algarve, ARS Centro, ARS Lisbon and Tagus Valley, and ARS North – responsible for the execution of the goals of the national health policies, for the development of guidelines and protocols, and for monitoring health care. Decentralization efforts have focused their goals in changing the financial and management responsibility to the regional level. In practice, however, the autonomy of the regional health authorities is limited to the primary health care. The autonomous regions of Azores and Madeira have effective autonomy in regional health strategies and in the management of budget and expenses^ccDirecção-Geral da Saúde (PT), Direcção de Serviços de Epidemiologia e Estatísticas de Saúde, Divisão de Estatísticas de Saúde. Elementos estatísticos: informação geral: Saúde 2008. Lisboa; 2008..

The ARS Lisbon and Tagus Valley is in charge of 15 Health Centers Groupings (ACES). They are: ACES North Lisbon, Central Lisbon, West Lisbon and Oeiras, Cascais, Amadora, Sintra, Loures-Odivelas, Tagus Estuary, Almada-Seixal, Arco Ribeirinho, Arrabida, North West, South West, Middle Tagus, and Wet Area.

The oral health care system in Portugal, a mixture of coexistence between the Beveridgian, Bismarckian, and Private or Liberal models, is strongly conditioned by the low coverage of the NHS and is characterized by three coverage systems: the liberal coverage system or private insurance, the social security system, and the system financed by taxes¹⁰10. Kravitz AS, Treasure ET. EU manual of dental practice: version 4. Wales: Council of European Dentists; 2008..

Sample

Cross-sectional study, with non-probabilistic and convenience sample of 369 individuals, corresponding to 5.1% margin of error for a 90% confidence level. Individuals aged 65 years or more were selected, randomly, among those who expected the appointment at the health center, between February 2012 and June 2013. We considered the listing of individuals enrolled in 2008, in the Northern Unit of Lisbon – older adults users of the North Lisbon health centers, which have as reference the Hospitals of Santa Maria and Pulido Valente.

This group consists of five health centers: Alvalade, Benfica, Coração de Jesus, Lumiar, and Sete Rios, in which 295,687 users were registered in 2012, with 62,498 older adults.

The interview was conducted face-to-face by four examiners, properly calibrated and trained according to the biosafety regulations, under the environmental conditions existing in the health centers. We included older people aged more than 65 years, with ability to respond to the questionnaire, regulars at the North Lisbon health centers, who accepted to participate in the study (informed consent).

Data Collection Instrument

The applied questionnaire consisted of three distinct parts. The first one covered the sociodemographic characterization, composed by age, occupation, situation regarding employment, place of birth, marital status, education level, household income, sex, ability of life autonomy, among others. The second included questions about the older adults’ oral health habits, such as: when the last visit to the dentist took place, if they received information on how to do mouth examination to prevent oral cancer, if they use prosthesis, and how they clean it. In the third part, we applied the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Survey Index (GOHAI) to evaluate the self-perception of oral health, index translated and validated to the Portuguese language⁶6. Dolan TA, Atchison KA, Huynh TN. Access to dental care among older adults in the United States. J Dent Educ. 2005;69(9):961-74..

The GOHAI consists of 12 questions, related with the influence of oral health problems in the following physical, psychosocial, and pain or discomfort dimensions:

• The physical function, represented by the pattern of mastication, speech, and swallowing¹1. Atchison KA, Dolan TA. Development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):680-7.^,2323. Silva SRC, Castellanos Fernandes RA. Autopercepção das condições de saúde bucal por idosos. Rev Saude Publica. 2001;35(4):349-55. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102001000400003
  https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200100...

• The psychosocial function, represented by the concern about oral health, satisfaction or dissatisfaction with appearance, self-awareness about their oral health, and by avoiding social contact because of oral problems¹1. Atchison KA, Dolan TA. Development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):680-7.^,1313. Martinicorena FJC. Medición de la salud y la enfermedad en odontología comunitaria. In: Sala EC, García PB, editores. Odontología preventiva y comunitária: princípios, métodos y aplicaciones. 3.ed. Barcelona: Masson; 2005. p.337-69.^,2323. Silva SRC, Castellanos Fernandes RA. Autopercepção das condições de saúde bucal por idosos. Rev Saude Publica. 2001;35(4):349-55. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102001000400003
  https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200100...

• The pain or discomfort, represented by the use of medication to relieve pain or discomfort¹1. Atchison KA, Dolan TA. Development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):680-7.^,1313. Martinicorena FJC. Medición de la salud y la enfermedad en odontología comunitaria. In: Sala EC, García PB, editores. Odontología preventiva y comunitária: princípios, métodos y aplicaciones. 3.ed. Barcelona: Masson; 2005. p.337-69.^,2323. Silva SRC, Castellanos Fernandes RA. Autopercepção das condições de saúde bucal por idosos. Rev Saude Publica. 2001;35(4):349-55. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102001000400003
  https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200100...

For Atchison and Dolan⁴4. Cárdenas SD, Vergara KA, Martínez KR. Impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida de adultos mayores. Rev Clin Med Fam. 2012;5(1):9-16. DOI:10.4321/S1699-695X2012000100003
https://doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X201200... , the response options can have from three to six categories (from “always” to “never”). In this study we opted for the simplified frequency scale suggested by the authors, with three categories: “always”, “sometimes”, and “never” (values of 1, 2, and 3, respectively).

To obtain the final index, we conducted the simple sum of the values, in a scale of 12 to 36. The GOHAI index classifies the self-perception in “high” (34 to 36 points), “moderate” (30 to 33 points) and “low” (< 30 pontos), by the Atchison and Dolan⁴4. Cárdenas SD, Vergara KA, Martínez KR. Impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida de adultos mayores. Rev Clin Med Fam. 2012;5(1):9-16. DOI:10.4321/S1699-695X2012000100003
https://doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X201200... criteria for simplified scale.

Data analysis

The dependent variable considered was the older adults’ self-perception in relation to oral health; the independent ones were the sociodemographic variables and older adults’ clinical conditions of oral health.

We used descriptive statistics measures (for the general characterization of data) and determined the Cronbach’s alpha (α) (for assessing the internal consistency of the questionnaire). Later, we used binary logistic regression models to characterize the factors associated with the self-perception of low oral health of the older adults, considering the sociodemographic variables (sex, age, marital status, educational level, family income, and ability of life autonomy) and clinical conditions of oral health (last dentist appointment and prosthesis use). We determined the crude and adjusted by age odds ratios and their 90% confidence intervals. A significance level of 5% was used.

Ethical remarks

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Direcção Geral da Saúde of the Portuguese Ministry of Health (Process 210, December 17, 2010). All participants signed the informed consent form.

RESULTS

A total of 369 older adults participated in the study, which correspond to 3/5 of the older population enrolled in this group. They were aged in average 74.2 years (SD = 6.75); 62.9% were female, and 37.1% male. The vast majority was retired (95.0%); 53.9% presented education level up to four years, and 87.8% considered themselves totally independent regarding their daily activities. Only 13.0% knew that there is an oral health professional in the health center to which they belong; 51.1% did not visit a dentist for over a year; 62.6% of individuals used dental prosthesis, and 68.0% were satisfied with it (Table 1).

The application of GOHAI resulted in mean values close to the upper limit of the measure variation scale for the global index (mean = 32.9; SD = 3.6) and for its three dimensions, being possible to say that the older adults favorably evaluated their oral health (Table 2). The majority (57.7%) of individuals showed high self-perception of oral health, with values greater than 33; 27.9% showed moderate self-perception (values between 30 and 33); and only 14.4%, low self-perception (values below 30).

To determine the internal consistency of the questionnaire, we used the Cronbach’s alpha (α), obtaining a value of α = 0.805. Individuals aged 75-84 years have 1.670 (90%CI 1.003–2.783; p = 0.098) more probability to present self-perception of low oral health than older adults with 65-74 years. The older, with more than 85 years, have equal probability of presenting self-perception of low oral health than individuals with 65-74 years (Table 3).

Regarding the last dental appointment, older adults who had the appointment less than a year ago have 2.283 (90%CI 1.350–3.859; p = 0.010) more probability to present self-perception of low oral health than individuals who had the appointment more than a year ago.

Single individuals, 3.221 (90%CI 1.110–9.349; p = 0.071), are more likely to present self-perception of low oral health than individuals married or in cohabitation, after adjusted to age.

Regarding the last dental appointment, individuals who had the appointment less than a year ago have 2.361 (90%CI 1.391–4.009; p = 0.010) more probability to present self-perception of low oral health than individuals who had the appointment more than a year ago, after adjusted to age.

DISCUSSION

Older adults, aged 65 years old or more, enrolled in the Health Centers Grouping North Lisbon, present a self-perception of moderate, with tendency to high, oral health. From the studied sociodemographic variables, only age, marital status, and the last dental appointment were factors significantly associated with self-perception of oral health.

Currently, there is an increasing interest in studies of self-perception of health for knowing and monitoring it, and studies of this nature are increasingly recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)¹⁸18. Peres MA, Masiero AV, Longo GZ, Rocha GC, Matos IB, Najnie K, et al. Auto-avaliação da saúde em adultos no Sul do Brasil. Rev Saude Publica. 2010;44(5):901-11. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102010000500016
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910201000... . This study came to add new data to this field, hitherto little explored in Portugal.

The average age found among the older adults of this study was 74.15 years, and this value is close to the most recent data on the Portuguese population of older adults^dd Instituto Nacional de Estatística. Censos 2011: resultados definitivos - Região Lisboa. Lisboa; 2013 [cited 2014 Feb 16]. Available from: http://migre.me/uFEaw and also to the average found in other studies, which ranged between 67.1 and 73.5 years¹1. Atchison KA, Dolan TA. Development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):680-7.^,2222. Silva DD, Held RB, Torres SVS, Sousa MLR, Neri AL, Antunes JLF. Autopercepção da saúde bucal em idosos e fatores associados em Campinas, SP, 2008-2009. Rev Saude Publica. 2011;45(6):1145-53. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102011005000068
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910201100... . More than half of the sample consisted of women, and the 2011 Censuses help to explain these results, because they indicate that the preponderance of the female population is enhanced as age increases, due to the higher life expectancy at birth of women.

As to the education level, most individuals had only the fourth year of schooling, which corresponds to the data of the 2001 Labor Inquiry, which found that the older adults’ population holds, generally, low levels of education^dd Instituto Nacional de Estatística. Censos 2011: resultados definitivos - Região Lisboa. Lisboa; 2013 [cited 2014 Feb 16]. Available from: http://migre.me/uFEaw . The household income is a really important variable in the analysis of the older adults’ health situation. In this study, approximately 50.0% of the sample has incomes between one and two minimum wages, being these data according to the data provided by Eurostat^ee EUROSTAT. Population structure and ageing. Luxembourg: European Comission; 2010 [cited 2015 Oct 14]. Available from: http://migre.me/uFE92 .

The high percentage of individuals entirely independent may be due to the fact that the study has been performed in health centers, where they go with the capacity to do so.

The average of the GOHAI values in this study (32.9) suggested moderate self-perception of oral health of the population under study, although the analysis by classes refers to a higher perception. With median 34.0 and mode 36.0, we consider that the population of this study has a moderate, with tendency to high, perception, as in the original version of the GOHAI¹1. Atchison KA, Dolan TA. Development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):680-7. and in other studies⁵5. Carvalho C, Manso AC, Escoval A, Salvado F, Nunes C. Tradução e validação da versão portuguesa do Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Rev Port Saude Publica. 2013;31(2):153-9. DOI:10.1016/j.rpsp.2013.10.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpsp.2013.10.0... , in China, Japan¹⁶16. Naito M, Suzukamo Y, Nakayama T, Hamajima N, Fukuhara S. Linguistic adaptation and validation of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) in an elderly Japanese population. J Public Health Dent. 2006;66(4):273-5., and Arabia²2. Atieh MA. Arabic version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. Gerodontology. 2008;25(1):34-41. DOI:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00195.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007... . Ribeiro et al., in 2012, justify these results insofar as the older adults consider their oral health condition as good, although they have many dental losses and significant oral amendments. This apparent contradiction is explained by the lack of information in this age group in taking naturally that aging is associated with inevitable disabilities, such as tooth loss²⁰20. Ribeiro D, Pires I, Pereira ML. Comportamentos e auto-percepção em saúde oral de uma população geriátrica da região do Porto, Portugal. Rev Port Estomatol Med Dent Cir Maxilofac. 2012;53(4):221-6..

The questionnaire presented good internal consistency (α = 0.81), indicating the validity of all questions. This also occurred in the original version in English¹1. Atchison KA, Dolan TA. Development of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. J Dent Educ. 1990;54(11):680-7., which obtained Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.79, and in the Portuguese version, with alpha of 0.768⁵5. Carvalho C, Manso AC, Escoval A, Salvado F, Nunes C. Tradução e validação da versão portuguesa do Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Rev Port Saude Publica. 2013;31(2):153-9. DOI:10.1016/j.rpsp.2013.10.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpsp.2013.10.0... . The internal consistency was evaluated in several other countries (Spain, China, France, Sweden, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, Turkey, Jordan, and Mexico)¹³13. Martinicorena FJC. Medición de la salud y la enfermedad en odontología comunitaria. In: Sala EC, García PB, editores. Odontología preventiva y comunitária: princípios, métodos y aplicaciones. 3.ed. Barcelona: Masson; 2005. p.337-69., obtaining á values between 0.75 (in Turkey) and 0.92 (in Germany)²¹21. Sánchez-García S, Heredia-Ponce E, Juárez-Cedillo T, Gallegos-Carrillo K, Espinel-Bermúdez C, Fuente-Hernández J, et al. Psychometric properties of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and dental status of an elderly Mexican population. J Public Health Dent. 2010;70(4):300-7. DOI:10.1111/j.1752-7325.2010.00187.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2010... .

The most affected domain of GOHAI was the psychosocial one, suggesting that the older adults have limited their contact with other people because of the appearance of their teeth. Furtado et al.⁸8. Furtado DG, Forte FDS, Leite DFBM. Uso e necessidade de prótese em idosos: reflexos na qualidade de vida. Rev Bras Cienc Saude. 2011;15(2):183-90. DOI:10.4034/RBCS.2011.15.02.08
https://doi.org/10.4034/RBCS.2011.15.02.... , in 2011, and Cárdenas et al.⁴4. Cárdenas SD, Vergara KA, Martínez KR. Impacto de la salud oral en la calidad de vida de adultos mayores. Rev Clin Med Fam. 2012;5(1):9-16. DOI:10.4321/S1699-695X2012000100003
https://doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X201200... , in 2012, also found that the psychosocial domain is the most affected one, mainly because the older adults feel uncomfortable to eat in front of others because of their teeth problems. Fonseca et al.⁷7. Fonseca PHA, Almeida AM, Silva AM. Condições de saúde bucal em população idosa institucionalizada. Rev Gaucha Odontol. 2011;59(2):193-200., in 2011, observed that the most affected domain was the physical or functional one, especially in the discomfort in swallowing food. The fact that senior citizens can express themselves, share joys and anxieties, talk with others about a part of life, enjoy food, and be nourished by them are very important performances⁸8. Furtado DG, Forte FDS, Leite DFBM. Uso e necessidade de prótese em idosos: reflexos na qualidade de vida. Rev Bras Cienc Saude. 2011;15(2):183-90. DOI:10.4034/RBCS.2011.15.02.08
https://doi.org/10.4034/RBCS.2011.15.02.... .

Regarding the age group, younger seniors (aged 65-74 years) showed greater self-awareness of their problems in oral health. In fact, Nunes et al.¹⁷17. Nunes APN, Barreto SM, Gonçalves LG. Relações sociais e autopercepção da saúde: projeto envelhecimento e saúde. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2012;15(2):415-28. DOI:10.1590/S1415-790X2012000200019
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X201200... , in 2012, showed that advancing age contributed to worsen the self-perception of the oral health state, noting greater tendency for values of self-perception of low of oral health in individuals between 75-84 years. Miranda et al.¹⁵15. Miranda LP, Silveira MF, Miranda LP, Bonan PRF. Autopercepção das condições bucais em uma população de idosos da cidade de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2011;14(2):251-69. DOI:10.1590/S1809-98232011000200007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-9823201100... , in 2011, found better results in seniors over 75 years old, and the authors relate these values to the older adults’ adaptation process or the recognition of the deterioration of health conditions as normal in aging.

As for marital status, single individuals were the ones who showed lower values of self-perception, similar results to other studies¹⁵15. Miranda LP, Silveira MF, Miranda LP, Bonan PRF. Autopercepção das condições bucais em uma população de idosos da cidade de Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2011;14(2):251-69. DOI:10.1590/S1809-98232011000200007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1809-9823201100... ^,1717. Nunes APN, Barreto SM, Gonçalves LG. Relações sociais e autopercepção da saúde: projeto envelhecimento e saúde. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2012;15(2):415-28. DOI:10.1590/S1415-790X2012000200019
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X201200...

18. Peres MA, Masiero AV, Longo GZ, Rocha GC, Matos IB, Najnie K, et al. Auto-avaliação da saúde em adultos no Sul do Brasil. Rev Saude Publica. 2010;44(5):901-11. DOI:10.1590/S0034-89102010000500016
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910201000... ^-1919. Reichert FF, Loch MR, Capilheira MF. Autopercepção de saúde em adolescentes, adultos e idosos. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2012;17(12):3353-62. DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232012001200020
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200... . This may be due to the high impact of loneliness on life quality, suggesting that individuals who live alone may present lower emotional stability which, in turn, induces a low perception level⁹9. Haikal DSA, Paula AMB, Martins AMEBL, Moreira AN, Ferreira EF. Autopercepção da saúde bucal e impacto na qualidade de vida do idoso: uma abordagem quanti-qualitativa. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2011;16(7):3317-29. DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232011000800031
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201100... .

Regarding the last dental appointment, individuals who had the last appointment less than a year ago have a higher tendency to present lower values of self-perception of oral health. In fact, older adults tend to visit a dentist only when they have oral problems associated with pain or discomfort¹⁴14. Mesas AE, Andrade SM, Cabrera MA. Factors associated with negative self-perception of oral health among elderly people in a Brazilian community. Gerodontology. 2008;25(1):49-56. DOI:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00196.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007... . Still, those visits are determined by bad past experiences or phobias, which could generate a vicious cycle: less visits can exacerbate problems of oral health. On the other hand, this tendency toward a lower self-perception of oral health may be related to a greater awareness of older adults regarding their oral health, considering the recent visit to their dentist⁶6. Dolan TA, Atchison KA, Huynh TN. Access to dental care among older adults in the United States. J Dent Educ. 2005;69(9):961-74..

It is still likely that the low association of these variables in relation to the self-perception of oral health can be explained by the low prevalence of a dentist visit in the previous year. This may reflect the lack of access to the services of medical-dental assistance, which in Portugal are mostly private³3. Bravo M, Cortés J, Casals E, Llena C, Almerich-Silla JM, Cuenca E. Basic oral health goals for Spain 2015/2020. Int Dent J. 2009;59(2):78-82. DOI:10.1922/IDJ_2035Cortes05
https://doi.org/10.1922/IDJ_2035Cortes05... .

Regarding the limitations of this study, one of them is the fact of not carrying out clinical examination with the questionnaire, which should be implemented in the future, making it possible to evaluate the behavior of the clinical conditions of the oral cavity in relation to the self-perception of each one and vice versa. Additionally, the sample was of convenience and of relatively small size, which can condition the representativeness of the studied population. For example, the fact that there are usually more women in health centers and that they naturally have an increased availability to take part, can condition the representativeness of the sample⁶6. Dolan TA, Atchison KA, Huynh TN. Access to dental care among older adults in the United States. J Dent Educ. 2005;69(9):961-74.^,1919. Reichert FF, Loch MR, Capilheira MF. Autopercepção de saúde em adolescentes, adultos e idosos. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2012;17(12):3353-62. DOI:10.1590/S1413-81232012001200020
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-8123201200... . To obtain more solid and useful conclusions for society, it is necessary to carry out more comprehensive and representative studies and with a larger number of participants.

This study represents a starting point so that we can know better the oral health conditions of the older users of primary health care. The study also shows the usefulness of GOHAI to guide the planning strategies and oral health promotion directed toward a better life quality of this population group.

In this sense, it is important to educate about oral health, instilling prevention measures, which, in addition to reducing the problems, help to aware every one about their real needs for treatment.

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