Nattida Charadram1, Sabrina Maniewicz1, Stefania Maggi2, Mirko Petrovic3, Anastassia Kossioni4, Murali Srinivasan5, Martin Schimmel6, Philippe Mojon1, Frauke Müller1. 1. Division of Gerodontology and removable Prosthodontics, University Clinics of Dental Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 2. Aging Branch, CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Padua, Italy. 3. Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. 4. Division of Gerodontology, Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. 5. Clinic of General-, Special Care-, and Geriatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 6. Division of Gerodontology, Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of dental medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to obtain a consensus on oral health policy, access to dental care, oral hygiene measures and training levels. BACKGROUND: Poor oral health is widespread in care-dependent older people, but no consensus for a minimum standard of oral health care exists yet. METHODS: The e-Delphi approach was applied to a selected panel of interdisciplinary experts. Data analysis was based on three measurements: (a) ≥70% of experts' opinion fall into category "agree or strongly agree," (b) median score on the 5-point Likert scale ≥4, (c) interquartile range ≤1. RESULTS: A total of 31 experts from 17 European countries participated in this survey. Agreement was achieved for a compulsory dental examination when an elder is admitted to a long-term care (LTC) facility. Older people should brush their teeth twice/day and regularly clean interproximal spaces and oral mucosa. Dentures should be rinsed after meals and cleaned twice/day. The use of denture cleansing tablets was considered necessary. Dentures should be removed before sleeping and stored dry. A 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste should be applied daily in elder with high caries risk. A short report on the oral health status of the elder should be included in the geriatric assessment. All experts concluded that the knowledge and the training in oral health care for caregivers and family members of care-dependent older people were imperative. CONCLUSIONS: Using the e-Delphi method, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from different countries agreed on certain cardinal recommendations for a standard oral health care for care-dependent older people.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to obtain a consensus on oral health policy, access to dental care, oral hygiene measures and training levels. BACKGROUND: Poor oral health is widespread in care-dependent older people, but no consensus for a minimum standard of oral health care exists yet. METHODS: The e-Delphi approach was applied to a selected panel of interdisciplinary experts. Data analysis was based on three measurements: (a) ≥70% of experts' opinion fall into category "agree or strongly agree," (b) median score on the 5-point Likert scale ≥4, (c) interquartile range ≤1. RESULTS: A total of 31 experts from 17 European countries participated in this survey. Agreement was achieved for a compulsory dental examination when an elder is admitted to a long-term care (LTC) facility. Older people should brush their teeth twice/day and regularly clean interproximal spaces and oral mucosa. Dentures should be rinsed after meals and cleaned twice/day. The use of denture cleansing tablets was considered necessary. Dentures should be removed before sleeping and stored dry. A 5000 ppm fluoride toothpaste should be applied daily in elder with high caries risk. A short report on the oral health status of the elder should be included in the geriatric assessment. All experts concluded that the knowledge and the training in oral health care for caregivers and family members of care-dependent older people were imperative. CONCLUSIONS: Using the e-Delphi method, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from different countries agreed on certain cardinal recommendations for a standard oral health care for care-dependent older people.