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Oral disease in the elderly in long‐term hospital care
Author(s) -
Samaranayake LP,
Wilkieson CA,
Lamey PJ,
MacFarlane TW
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-0825.1995.tb00177.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dentures , stomatitis , dentistry , oral hygiene , dry mouth , disease , dermatology , saliva
OBJECTIVE: To obtain baseline information on the prevalence of oral problems and disease in institutionalized elderly in a Scottish hospital. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional clinical investigation with complementary microbiological studies as appropriate. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 147 elderly in five long‐term care wards; collection of demographic data; clinical examination to determine: i) the dental, and denture status and associated lesions such as Candida‐associated denture stomatitis and angular cheilitis, ii) oral mucosal disease; swabs as appropriate for microbiology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dental status, root caries prevalence; denture status and hygiene, and associated disease; oral mucosal health. RESULTS Median period of institutionalization of 147 patients was 15 months and 65% were aged 80 years or more; the majority were significantly mentally impaired; 52% wore complete dentures, 9% were partially dentate, 19% possessed partial or incomplete dentures; 20% were neither dentate nor had dentures. Of 80 patients who verbalired their complaints, 35% complained of dry mouth and 45% had denture‐related problems, principally discomfort. The commonest oral finding was a coated tongue (56%); angular cheilitis was present in 25%, and Candida‐associated denture stomatitis in 19%; none had oral ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: There was considerable unmet dental need with significant oral disease and poor levels of oral and denture hygiene in this target group; both dental and medical professionals should act in concert to deliver curative as well as preventative dental care for the elderly living in institutions to improve their quality of life.