Analisis Pemahaman Kesehatan Gigi dan Mulut Pendamping Lansia Terhadap Tingkat Kebersihan Gigi dan Mulut Lansia

Abstract

Background: Older adults aged ≥70 years often experience a decline in physical and cognitive functions that may affect their ability to perform daily activities, including maintaining oral hygiene. As a result, many older adults require assistance from caregivers to help with daily self-care activities such as tooth brushing and denture cleaning. Caregivers play an important role in maintaining oral hygiene among older adults. However, the level of caregivers’ understanding of oral health care for older adults remains unclear and may influence the oral hygiene status of the elderly. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between caregivers’ understanding of oral health and the oral hygiene status of older adults aged ≥70 years. Methods: This analytical study was conducted in two subdistricts in Jember Regency, namely Balung and Jelbuk. A total of 54 older adults aged ≥70 years and 54 caregivers participated in this study. Caregivers’ understanding of oral health was measured using a questionnaire. The oral hygiene status of the older adults was assessed using the O’Leary Plaque Index. Data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between caregivers’ understanding after receiving oral health education and the oral hygiene status of older adults (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Caregivers’ understanding after receiving education is associated with the oral hygiene status of older adults. Better caregiver understanding contributes to improved oral hygiene among the older adults they assist.