OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the association between dental health behaviour, mental/physical function and self-feeding ability among the elderly. SUBJECTS: A total of 414 elderly dental patients aged 65 years and older participated in this study. METHODS: A survey was carried out for three years and seven months starting in January 1998 at the Chubu National Hospital. The patients or their carers were examined/interviewed about the severity of senile dementia, dental health behaviour, ability to rinse their mouths, ability to manage dentures, and ability to sit at a table during meals. To assess the association with self-feeding ability among the elderly, cut-offs were given for these variables, and then the odds ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The strongest association to self-feeding ability was marked by inability to rinse their own mouth, followed by inability to manage dentures, inability to sit at a table during meals, severe senile dementia and less frequency of toothbrushing. CONCLUSION: Elderly who have lost the feeding ability often could not maintain their dental health by themselves. Carers must provide not only a feeding service with acknowledgement of aspiration but oral care to prevent dental disease and fatal pneumonia in the elderly.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the association between dental health behaviour, mental/physical function and self-feeding ability among the elderly. SUBJECTS: A total of 414 elderly dental patients aged 65 years and older participated in this study. METHODS: A survey was carried out for three years and seven months starting in January 1998 at the Chubu National Hospital. The patients or their carers were examined/interviewed about the severity of senile dementia, dental health behaviour, ability to rinse their mouths, ability to manage dentures, and ability to sit at a table during meals. To assess the association with self-feeding ability among the elderly, cut-offs were given for these variables, and then the odds ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The strongest association to self-feeding ability was marked by inability to rinse their own mouth, followed by inability to manage dentures, inability to sit at a table during meals, severe senile dementia and less frequency of toothbrushing. CONCLUSION: Elderly who have lost the feeding ability often could not maintain their dental health by themselves. Carers must provide not only a feeding service with acknowledgement of aspiration but oral care to prevent dental disease and fatal pneumonia in the elderly.