Dental treatment improves self-rated oral health in homeless veterans--a brief communication

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess homeless veterans' perception of their oral health and the impact that oral disease and treatment have on self-assessed quality of life. METHODS: Outcomes included measures of general and oral-specific quality of life and functional status. Single-item self-report of oral health and the General Oral Health Assessment Index were assessed at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve veterans completed the baseline questionnaire, and 48 completed the follow-up. Veterans who were eligible for ongoing dental care had improved General Oral Health Assessment scores, while patients who received only emergency dental care saw a decreased score (2.46 versus -2.12). General Oral Health Assessment improvement was significantly related to fewer teeth at baseline (18 versus 23), a lower baseline General Oral Health Assessment (23.6 versus 28.1), having a denture visit (22 versus 35 percent), and improvement in self-reported oral health (25 versus 42 percent). CONCLUSION: There was significant improvement in homeless veterans'perceived oral health after receiving dental care.