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Takata Y, Ansai T et al. J Oral Rehabil 2006; 33: 330–334

This study investigated overall QoL and chewing ability in a group of 1282 80-year-old Japanese subjects, of whom 823 participated. Dental examinations were undertaken and subjects completed questionnaires on QoL and chewing ability. At the time of the study, Japanese versions of oral health-related QoL were not established.

The mean number of teeth was 7.5, and subjects reported they could chew a mean of 11.2 out of 15 specified foods. Some 41% of subjects were satisfied with their health status, and 84% were satisfied with daily life. Dissatisfaction with daily life, and with interactions with family or friends, was related to the number of foods which could be chewed. There was no consistent relationship between the remaining number of teeth and QoL.