Increasing dependency of older people in nursing homes is associated with need for dental treatments

Abstract

To determine relationships between the need for dental treatments of institutionalized elderly people and cognitive impairment and the general level of care needed. Two hundred and sixty-eight residents of long-term care facilities in Germany were included in this study. Age, sex, diseases, number of frequently taken drugs, and location of the long-term care facility of the participants were recorded. For each participant, the need for care was assessed by use of the Barthel index (BI). Cognitive impairment was evaluated by use of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). To assess dental treatment needs, the revised oral assessment guide (ROAG) was applied for different oral health conditions, which were rated “healthy” or “treatment needed”. Spearman correlations were performed to evaluate associations between BI and MMSE and dental treatment needs. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations of BI (P<0.001) and MMSE (P=0.015) with the ROAG score. Increasing dependency and decreasing cognitive ability worsen oral health and increase the need for dental treatment.

Poor oral status is associated with rehabilitation outcome in older people

“…The ROAG is a validated oral problem assessment tool with high sensitivity and specificity . Furthermore, high reproducibility of the ROAG has been reported . In the present study, two experienced dental hygienists carried out the oral assessment using the ROAG on the day of admission.…”

“…25 Furthermore, high reproducibility of the ROAG has been reported. 21,22,[25][26][27] In the present study, two experienced dental hygienists carried out the oral assessment using the ROAG on the day of admission. The authors translated the ROAG into Japanese with caution to be used only by two experienced dental hygienists, because the ROAG had not been translated into Japanese at the time of this study.…”

Oral health and oral care in short‐term care: prevalence, related factors and coherence between older peoples’ and professionals’ assessments

“…Older people who were dependent on help with self‐care (in one up to all six activities according to Katz's ADL index) had around a sixfold higher risk of oral problems. This result is in line with previous studies that also found increasing dependency to be associated with oral health problems among older people in need of care . Further efforts are needed to ensure that older people with high dependence in daily activities also receive help with oral care as an integrated part of their daily care.…”

Oral health status of long‐term care residents in Canada: Results of a national cross‐sectional study

“…This high level of care dependency, coupled with widespread dementia, can have significant impacts on residents’ oral health status. Recent research has linked increasing care dependency and cognitive impairment with declines in overall oral health and an increased need for dental treatment . Possible explanations for this effect include care providers’ lack of knowledge regarding dental treatment, competing priorities for care staff, lack of cooperation by persons with severe cognitive impairment and inaccessible dental care services …”

“…Recent research has linked increasing care dependency and cognitive impairment with declines in overall oral health and an increased need for dental treatment. 18 Possible explanations for this effect include care providers' lack of knowledge regarding dental treatment, competing priorities for care staff, lack of cooperation by persons with severe cognitive impairment and inaccessible dental care services. 19,20 The first step to developing and implementing effective strategies to optimise oral health for long-term care residents is to have a comprehensive understanding of the current state of oral health for residents in Canadian long-term care homes.…”