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Table 2 First semi-structured interview

From: Self-reported oral health problems and the ability to organize dental care of community-dwelling elderly aged ≥75 years

First interview (n,%)

Total

(n = 89)

Robust

(n = 54)

Frail

(n = 9)

Complex

(n = 26)

P-value between groups

Experiencing oral pain at time of interview

29 (32.6%)

16 (29.6%)

2 (22.2%)

11 (42.3%)

0.412

Oral pain lasted

> 6 weeks

34 (38.2%)

19 (35.2%)

3 (33.3%)

12 (46.2%)

0.631

VAS1 pain score (mean, SD)

5.8 (2.1)

6.1 (2.5)

6.0 (1.4)

5.5 (1.9)

0.855

No pain complaint or cannot remember

9 (10.1%)

5 (9.3%)

1 (11.1%)

3 (11.5%)

0.881

Measures taken to relieve oral pain complaints

 Visited the dentist for oral pain complaint

50 (56.2%)

35 (64.8%)

3 (33.3%)

12 (46.2%)

0.100

 Other measures (painkillers, mouth rinse)

9 (10.1%)

6 (11.1%)

1 (11.1%)

2 (7.7%)

1.000

Type of oral pain complaint

 Toothache

21 (23.6%)

15 (27.8%)

2 (22.2%)

4 (15.4%)

0.471

 Denture-related complaint

22 (24.7%)

10 (18.5%)

3 (33.3%)

9 (34.6%)

0.241

 Minor dental complaint

21 (23.6%)

12 (22.2%)

2 (22.2%)

7 (26.9%)

0.893

 Complicated pain complaints

6 (6.7%)

6 (11.1%)

1 (3.8%)

0.212

 Periodontal disease (increased tooth mobility)

4 (4.5%)

3 (5.6%)

1 (11.1%)

1 (3.8%)

1.000

 Peri-implant pain (peri-implant tissue)

4 (4.5%)

2 (3.7%)

1 (3.8%)

0.545

 Fractured teeth, radix relicta

2 (2.2%)

1 (1.9%)

1 (3.8%)

0.635

Location of the oral pain compliant

 Upper jaw

21 (23.6%)

13 (24.1%)

2 (22.2%)

6 (23.1%)

0.990

 Lower jaw

39 (43.8%)

23 (42.6%)

6 (66.7%)

10 (38.5%)

0.326

 Both jaws

10 (11.2%)

7 (13.0%)

3 (11.5%)

0.779

 Soft tissues

8 (9.0%)

5 (9.3%)

3 (11.5%)

0.750

 Not an oral complaint: jaw joint or skin

2 (2.2%)

1 (1.9%)

 

1 (3.8%)

0.635

Dental visits

 Registered with local dentist

76 (85.4%)

47 (87.0%)

7 (77.8%)

22 (84.6%)

0.668

 Recent dental visit (< 1 year)

67 (75.3%)

42 (77.8%)

5 (55.6%)

20 (76.9%)

0.350

Transport to local dentist

 Able to visit local dentist independently

63 (70.8%)

47 (87.0%)a,b

4 (44.4%)

12 (46.2%)

< 0.001

 Uses local services

11 (12.4%)

4 (7.4%)b

7 (26.9%)

0.045

 Requires assistance from family or caregiver

15 (16.9%)

3 (5.6%)a,b

5 (55.6%)

7 (26.9%)

< 0.001

Elderly experiencing oral pain during the first interview

 Advised local dentist

19 (21.4%)

10 (18.5%)

1 (11.1%)

8 (30.8%)

0.334

 Requires specialist care

2 (2.2%)

1 (1.9%)

1 (11.1%)

0.276

 Receives specialist care

3 (3.4%)

3 (5.6%)

0.672

 Recent or upcoming dental appointment or no appointment needed

5 (5.6%)

2 (3.7%)

3 (11.5%)

0.367

  1. 1VAS Visual analogue scale
  2. a Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between robust and frail elderly
  3. b Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between robust and complex elderly