Oral health related systemic disease education for elderly age group

Aims: This empowerment aimed to provide knowledge about systemic disease correlation with oral and dental health to the cadres to convey information to the elderly group. Subjects and Methods: The method used in the community empowerment program in this elderly group was the method of counseling with lectures. Evaluation of the participants was conducted after counseling. The evaluation method was done by filling out the questionnaire and observation. Observations were made to the cadres by assessing the cadres in presenting the extension content to the extension workers. Further evaluation was done when the cadres socialized the materials independently in an elderly nursing home. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 17 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). Results: There was an increase in posttest average compared with pretest. The mean cadre pretest result was 45.55%, the mean posttest result was 77.55%, and the mean of cadre observation result to relay extension material was 84.52%. Conclusions: The elderly understood the signs of systemic disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary heart) in the oral cavity through counseling of elderly cadres.