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Oral disorders in institution‐dwelling elderly adults: a graphic representation
Author(s) -
Maupomé Gerardo,
Wyatt Christopher C.L.,
Williams P. Michele,
Aickin Mikel,
Gullion Christina M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2002.tb00270.x
Subject(s) - medicine , oral health , psychological intervention , gerontology , descriptive statistics , long term care , health care , index (typography) , family medicine , nursing , statistics , mathematics , world wide web , computer science , economics , economic growth
This study was conducted to assess the oral health status and dental care needs of elderly adults living in long‐term care facilities. Dentists examined 601 elderly adults, living in one of six extended‐or intermediate‐care facilities, between September 1999 and May 2000. Data from 532 of the subjects were analyzed with descriptive statistics and zero‐order inverse polynomials. Using a computer program, the authors compiled summaries of oral health data on individuals and institutional levels. This study suggests that there are numerous unmet dental needs among elderly adults who live in institutions. The CODE index used to assess the oral health of these residents offers a systematic portrayal of oral disorders in terms of severity. As the authors demonstrated, this index can be readily analyzed using zero‐order inverse polynomials to summarize collected data into a graphic description, which can be helpful in managing and administrating oral health care interventions in long‐term care facilities.