Evaluation and correlation of nutritional status and emotional wellbeing in relation to dentition and prosthetic rehabilitation of community living geriatric individuals during COVID-19 pandemic

Background: COVID-19 infection has become a serious problem among rapidly growing geriatric individuals in India. During the pandemic, the availability of food and emotional support has decreased in old age homes, and this must have affected the nutritional status and emotional wellbeing of the geriatric individuals. Aim: To evaluate and correlate the association between the nutritional status and emotional wellbeing of geriatric individuals during covid-19 pandemic with dentition and prosthetic rehabilitation. Materials and method: The questionnaire consisted of three sections which included. Demographic data and dental status, WHO approved Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) and WHO approved Emotional well-being five scale. We also compared the BMI of geriatric elders before 6 months of Covid-19 and during Covid-19. 112 participants were enrolled from 9 government old age homes in Tamilnadu, India. Data were collected and subjected to statistical testing. Simple frequency analysis and Chi square test were used. Result: 70.5% of geriatric elders had poor emotional wellbeing and 65.1% were malnourished during this pandemic. Dentition status showed that 51.7% were completely edentulous and 74.1% were without prosthetic rehabilitation. Statistical significance results were found when comparing nutritional status & emotional wellbeing with dentition and prosthetic rehabilitation status of elders during COVID-19. Conclusion: Older adults’ mental health was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas dentition and prosthetic rehabilitation status indirectly affect the mental health of elders through malnutrition. As a prosthodontist, who provide geriatric care, treating the elders by looking beyond the teeth, will help to improve overall wellbeing of these individuals.