The Veterans Health Administration is increasing its emphasis on measuring outcomes of VHA care from the patient perspective.
Purpose: This presentation describes the self-reported oral health of veterans enrolled in VA care. Further, we examine the association between self-reported oral health and self-reported general health and quality of life.
Methods: Data on self-reported oral health and health-related quality of life were collected from 56.8% (170,383/300,000) veterans who responded to the Diet and Physical Activity Module in ‘The 1999 Health Survey of Veterans.’ We used a single-item self-report of general health from the Medical Outcomes Study and a similar oral health measure as indicators of global general and oral health status. The Physical Component Scale (PCS) and the Mental Component Scale (MCS) of the Veterans’ SF-36 were used as measures of health-related quality of life.
Results: Self-rated oral health was rated by 4.8% as excellent, 13.7% very good, 28.6% good, 29% fair and 24% poor. Self-reported oral health varied by age, by up to 65% of a SD (best in young, worst in middle-age, and in the middle for old; U-shape distribution). Women had on average 32% of a SD better self-rated oral health than men, and whites had 22% of a SD better scores than non-whites. Better self-rated oral health was correlated with (p<0.0001) better self-rated general health (r=.39), PCS (-.27) and MCS (-.32).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates important variations in self-reported oral health among enrollees in VA care and suggests that oral health is an important component of general health.
Learning Objectives: The participant will understand variations in self-rated oral health in the VA and how oral health is associated with general health and quality of life
Keywords: Oral Health, Quality of Life
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Office of Performance & Quality, Veterans Health Administration
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: grants & employment