Perceived barriers to oral health care among the homebound

Abstract

Questionnaires and oral examinations were completed on 50 clients of a social service agency which provides home-based services to functionally dependent elderly. Nearly 61% of all respondents classified their oral health as frail/poor, and 82% reported a perceived need for some oral health care. When asked if they considered themselves homebound, 60% reported being homebound from 1-10 years (mean = 4.7 years). Two or more home services were received by 80% of the homebound group compared with just 45% of the not-homebound group. Paying for dental care, transportation difficulties, and poor health were the most frequently identified barriers that limited access to oral health care.

Barriers to dental care for older minority adults

“…6 Many older adults grew up at a time when dental services were considered luxuries and dentures as a part of the normal aging process. 7 A significant proportion of the individuals B A R R I E R S T O D E N T A L C A R E over the age of 65 do not view oral health care as an important part of their overall health and well-being. 8 Health beliefs, cultural practices, language barriers, social networks and contacts, and availability of care in older adult communities are also key reasons older adults lack dental care.…”

“…A limited number of studies suggest that the most critical of these barriers may be knowledge and attitudes pertaining to the need for oral care, especially in the absence of pain . Many older adults grew up at a time when dental services were considered luxuries and dentures as a part of the normal aging process . A significant proportion of the individuals over the age of 65 do not view oral health care as an important part of their overall health and well‐being .…”

Oral hygiene of elderly people in long‐term care institutions – a cross‐sectional study

“…Previous international studies have shown poor oral hygiene and oral health among housebound [3][4][5] and institutionalised older people [6][7][8][9][10][11] . This is even more important for people of an advanced age.…”

“…This is even more important for people of an advanced age. Previous international studies have shown poor oral hygiene and oral health among housebound [3][4][5] and institutionalised older people [6][7][8][9][10][11] . Not only the oral hygiene of the remaining teeth scored low 9,12 but also most denture-wearing residents living in nursing homes do not keep their prostheses clean 12,13 .…”

Oral health in older people: time for action

“…[3][4][5][11][12][13], (b) lack of professional support, including limited training of nondental health care providers in oral health [4,13,14], and (c) lack of effective oral health policies, including poor legislations, policies and regulations on dental care in the community and in institutional care, and limited public dental care coverage combined with the high cost of dental treatment.…”