Dental care for institutionalized geriatric patients in Germany.

This investigation determined the level of dental care for institutionalized geriatric patients residing in nursing home facilities. A total of 364 patients from nine different geriatric care units within the city of Berlin were involved in this study. On average the patients were 84.9 years old. Women represented 87.3% of the patients. A standardized questionnaire and a clinical examination of the mouth were utilized to assess patient satisfaction with geriatric care, their general medical status and their oral health status. The results demonstrated that patients in geriatric care did not undergo routine dental check-ups. Oral hygiene was sufficient in only 12.6% of the patients, and prosthesis hygiene in 45% of the cases. Only 37.6 of the dentures exhibited sufficient retention and stability. In 80% of the patients dental treatment was necessary. Recommendations for improvement of dental care delivery to institutionalized geriatric patients are given. It has to be concluded that dental management of institutionalized geriatric patients is an essential yet presently underfulfilled service.