AIM: To describe the general health, oral health status, and treatment needs of dependent older people living in Christchurch rest homes. METHODS: 210 Grade 3 residents from seven randomly selected care facilities were examined for: dental/denture status, caries, periodontal disease, and oral cleanliness. RESULTS: Age ranged from 65 to 103 with an average age of 84.6 years. The female-to-male ratio was 3:1. Thirty-two percent of residents were dentate (average 14 teeth). This figure was up from 16-19% one decade ago (p<0.01; chi-squared test). Sixty-five percent of dentate residents had caries. Each dentate person had an average of 2.38 teeth with carious lesions in the root or crown. 51.5% of residents required restorative treatment and 38.2% required an extraction. Twenty residents had at least one 'carious stump'. Eighty-two percent of residents required scaling of the teeth. Two thirds had no natural teeth, and one third of those with dentures required treatment. Eighty-nine residents (42%) were unable to communicate about past dental behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that (compared to one decade ago) more dependent elderly people are retaining their natural teeth--but they are keeping no more teeth, and the health of the teeth has not improved. Most elderly people do not regularly receive dental assessments or care.
AIM: To describe the general health, oral health status, and treatment needs of dependent older people living in Christchurch rest homes. METHODS: 210 Grade 3 residents from seven randomly selected care facilities were examined for: dental/denture status, caries, periodontal disease, and oral cleanliness. RESULTS: Age ranged from 65 to 103 with an average age of 84.6 years. The female-to-male ratio was 3:1. Thirty-two percent of residents were dentate (average 14 teeth). This figure was up from 16-19% one decade ago (p<0.01; chi-squared test). Sixty-five percent of dentate residents had caries. Each dentate person had an average of 2.38 teeth with carious lesions in the root or crown. 51.5% of residents required restorative treatment and 38.2% required an extraction. Twenty residents had at least one 'carious stump'. Eighty-two percent of residents required scaling of the teeth. Two thirds had no natural teeth, and one third of those with dentures required treatment. Eighty-nine residents (42%) were unable to communicate about past dental behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that (compared to one decade ago) more dependent elderly people are retaining their natural teeth--but they are keeping no more teeth, and the health of the teeth has not improved. Most elderly people do not regularly receive dental assessments or care.
Authors: Julia Jockusch; Florian Riese; Nathan Theill; Bernhard A J Sobotta; Ina Nitschke Journal: Z Gerontol Geriatr Date: 2020-06-02 Impact factor: 1.281