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Integrated versus incidental dental care in nursing homes
Author(s) -
Gerritsen P.F.M.,
Bilt A.,
Cune M.S.,
Schrijvers A.J.P.,
Putter C.
Publication year - 2012
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.1754-4505.2012.00317.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dentures , nursing homes , dental care , family medicine , nursing , nursing care , medical care , dentistry
Purpose/aim In most of the 334 Dutch nursing homes, incidental dental care is provided upon indication by the medical and nursing staff. However, more and more nursing homes offer integrated dental care, where a dentist works on a structural basis in facilities within the home. Methods To evaluate the costs and effects of integrated versus incidental care, we studied the oral status and treatment needs in two nursing homes in the same city with 175 and 120 residents an average age of 81.7 and 79.3 years, respectively. Results In the integrated care home, the dentist spent an average 2.2 hours/year per resident at a cost of €229 for the dentist's work and €143 for laboratory costs. In the incidental care home, these values were 0.1 hours/year per resident at a cost of €15 for the dentist's work and €20 for laboratory costs. Conclusions With integrated care, 55.6% of the residents had no oral treatment need versus 13.1% for incidental care, more edentulous residents wore dentures, and residents had less soft tissue pathology.