Assessment of Oral Health in Elders with and without Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective:The aim of the study was to assess and compare the oral health status in elders with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods: This age and gender-matched cross-sectional study included thirty-six elders with AD and 37 elders without AD from an Alzheimer's daycare center and a nursing home. Mental state, oral health and periodontal parameters, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR), and other dry mouth conditions were examined. Group comparisons and correlation analysis were performed with T-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, and Spearman's rank correlation.Results: Probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were lower and the percentage of the subjects with non-periodontitis was higher in elders with AD than without AD (p=0.017 and p=0.028, respectively). Both groups had similar GOHAI scores and USFR levels (p>0.05). However, the elders with AD had higher use of mouth-drying medication and presence of halitosis complaint than without AD (p<0.001). In both groups number of missing teeth was positively correlated with the DMF-T score (p<0.001). In AD group, age was positively related to the gingival index and bleeding on probing (p=0.005 and p=0.001, respectively). USFR level was positively correlated with GOHAI score (p=0.027) in AD group, but it was negatively correlated with the DMF-T score (p=0.031) in without AD group. Conclusion:Personalized care and supporting oral care education of the caregivers could maintain the oral health of elders with AD.