I G Johnson1, M Z Morgan2, N P Monaghan3, A J Karki3. 1. Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: JohnsonIG@cardiff.ac.uk. 2. Applied Clinical Research and Public Health, School of Dentistry, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY, United Kingdom. 3. Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace and Health, Cathay's Park, Cardiff CF103NW, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the relationship between dental disease, complexity and dental treatment needs of care home residents. METHODS: Survey of residents in care homes in Wales. Random sample of participants from a random selection of care homes across Wales, UK. Data collection involved questionnaires and dental examinations. RESULTS: Data were collected from 655 care home residents in 213 care homes. Half of all residents reported good or very good oral health but most had dental treatment needs. 73% of dentate residents had active caries, of those, 53% required restorations and 37% needed extractions. All were deemed to require dental examination. 60% of dentate residents and 50% of edentate residents had case complexity, which influenced the delivery of care. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant unmet dental treatment need amongst care home residents. Dental disease presence alone is a poor indicator of the need for care and does not account for case complexity or the shift towards a patient centred rather than disease focussed approach to care. Measures for treatment needs and complexity are required when undertaking assessments of oral health needs in care homes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Traditional oral health surveys measuring dental disease do not necessarily equate to treatments required for care home residents and do not reflect the complexity and difficulties involved in delivering dental care. This survey highlights dental needs in care homes, and the difficulties involved in delivering care to address these needs. Crown
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the relationship between dental disease, complexity and dental treatment needs of care home residents. METHODS: Survey of residents in care homes in Wales. Random sample of participants from a random selection of care homes across Wales, UK. Data collection involved questionnaires and dental examinations. RESULTS: Data were collected from 655 care home residents in 213 care homes. Half of all residents reported good or very good oral health but most had dental treatment needs. 73% of dentate residents had active caries, of those, 53% required restorations and 37% needed extractions. All were deemed to require dental examination. 60% of dentate residents and 50% of edentate residents had case complexity, which influenced the delivery of care. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant unmet dental treatment need amongst care home residents. Dental disease presence alone is a poor indicator of the need for care and does not account for case complexity or the shift towards a patient centred rather than disease focussed approach to care. Measures for treatment needs and complexity are required when undertaking assessments of oral health needs in care homes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Traditional oral health surveys measuring dental disease do not necessarily equate to treatments required for care home residents and do not reflect the complexity and difficulties involved in delivering dental care. This survey highlights dental needs in care homes, and the difficulties involved in delivering care to address these needs. Crown