Abstract

Objectives: To determine dimensions involving oral health amongst elderly patients preventing good oral indexes. Methods: The study was qualitative. From 2005 to 2015 1,234 partially edentulous prosthetic user patients sought preventive treatments at five public, private and Universities dental care centers from Santiago’s metropolitan area. Patients were referred for preventive treatments to six Prosthodontists (Kappa 0.77) through mutual references. All patients were self-caring independent ones. Only patients in compliance with Periodontal Support Therapy were analyzed. The study group was divided according to their educational level into two groups: A with higher education or more, and B with secondary education. Focus Group strategy out looking for dimension of oral care was utilized in groups of five to six patients gathering because of friendship at “Tea Time” in private homes; just one dentist invited by the group was present at each meeting. Results from groups were compared. Results: Group A was composed of 31 men and 73 women (mean age 82.35 from 80 to 91). Group B was composed of 16 men and 51 women (mean age 78.45 from 76 to 81). Content analysis from Focus Group strategy saturated three mayor dimensions preventing good oral health indexes from group A: Motor, Social and Psychological. Some indicators of the Motor dimension were: degenerative diseases as degenerative osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease and Lupus. Some indicators of the Social dimensions were family content and lack of privacy. Some indications of Psychological dimension were modesty, embarrassment and shyness. Content analysis from Focus Group strategy saturated two mayor dimensions for Group B: Social and Psychological. Some indicators of the Social dimension were: access for care and lack of perceived need for care. Some indicators of the Psychological dimension were attitudes of health care providers and low self-esteem. Conclusions: For the study sample, oral health representations depended on educational level.