This research investigated the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index(GOHAI) according to oral health knowledge and oral health behaviors for the elderly aged 65 and over in Daegu. Through this, it was implemented to find ways to improve oral health in the future, and to contribute to the development of oral prevention education, oral health management projects, and related programs for the elderly.
The research was conducted on the elderly aged 65 and over in Daegu, and the results of data analysis can be summarized as follows:
1. The higher the education and economic level, the higher the GOHAI score (p<0.05), the better the subjective health status, and the greater the interest in oral health, the more significant difference in the GOHAI score (p<0.05).
2. The higher the education level (p<.0.01) and the higher the economic level (p<0.05), the higher the knowledge level. Also, it was found that the better the subjects' subjective health status and the more they were interested in oral health, the higher their knowledge level (p<0.01).
3. The higher the education level (p<0.05), the higher the interest in oral health (p<0.01), the higher the oral health practice behavior.
4. There was a correlation between oral health knowledge and oral health behavior (p<0.01), oral health behavior and the GOHAI (p<0.01), and oral health knowledge and the GOHAI (p<0.01).
Combining these results, there was a statistically significant relationship between oral health knowledge, oral health behavior, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) of the elderly. Through this, we can know that oral health knowledge and oral health practice behavior are closely related in order to improve the quality of life related to oral health of the elderly. Therefore, when developing oral prevention education, oral health management projects, and related programs for the elderly, it is necessary to combine not only education to improve oral health knowledge but also education to develop oral health practice behavior. This is expected to contribute to the improvement of oral health of the elderly and improve the quality of life.