The oral function of community-dwelling older adults complaining of an oral function deterioration: An examination using the oral function-related items of the Questionnaire for Latter-stage Elderly People

Aim The oral function-related items of the newly developed Questionnaire for Latter-stage Elderly People are based on two Kihon checklist assessing masticatory and swallowing functions. In this study, we estimated questionnaire's application rate investigated function respondents. Methods Included were 699 older adults (274 men/425 women, average age, 73.4±6.6 years old). Those who responded positively to related considered have decreased specific was assessed number present functional teeth; hygiene; moisture; occlusal force; diadochokinesis /pa/, /ta/, /ka/; tongue pressure; mixing ability; shearing Eating Assessment Tool (EAT)-10 (reference, score ≥3). Results rates functions 21.5% 26.6%, respectively, while 7.4% participants had both. with a showed fewer lower force, ability, higher EAT-10 scores.Those only scores. early- latter-stage elderly, 15.6% 29.4%, 27.8% 25.0%, both 6.0% 9.5%, respectively. Conclusion questionnaire items, especially function, in multiple respects. useful identifying function.