Abstract
The purpose of this study was to use the result as basic resources for oral health project for elderly people. we found the needs of oral health project and perceived oral health status, oral health knowledge, attitude, behavior of elderly people. we conducted a study on 194 elderly more than 60 years living in several social welfare facility, asylum, or care centers in Jeolla province. Through self-filled questionnaires and direct interviews from December 2008 to January 2009. The obtained result were as follows. 1. In perceived oral health status, 57.7% of respondents said they have hypersensitivity and 42.8% of respondents needed denture. 2. In oral health promoting behavior, 67.0% of respondents said they didn't have any tooth brushing and 45.9% of respondents said they haven't visited to dentist for the last year. 3. In oral health knowledge, 94.8% of respondents gave correct answers on dental caries prevention but only 7.2% of respondents gave correct answers on dental caries cause. 4. In oral health attitude, 40.2% of respondents said they don't recognize the importance of oral hygiene devices. 46.9% of respondents the unnecessary to see a dentist even though they don't have toothache. 5. Needs of oral health project, 53.6% of respondents said they wanted to have a dentist come over their house. Therefore, oral health projects should have vehicles of dental treatment equipment. It is necessary to visit places where elderly people live and treat them in person. Also, it is vital to continue educate people about oral health knowledge in a systematic way to change their attitude toward oral health. Moreover, it is necessary to implement oral health promotion behavior more proactively.
