Perception of Caregivers on Health and Oral Hygiene Care of Institutionalized Impaired Elderly

Abstract

This study assessed the perception of caregivers on oral health of institutionalized impaired elderly, and the care provided for them in oral hygiene and prosthetic rehabilitation. A descriptive observational study was developed with caregivers of 32 institutionalized impaired elderly, in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Data collection was performed by interviewing the caregivers, researching records of the Institution, and by clinical examination of the oral cavity of the elderly during a period between the months of March and May, 2013. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics of absolute frequency (n) and relative frequency (%). All of the elderly presented partial (50 %) or total (50 %) tooth losses, and only 28.1 % wore removable denture. The prosthetic devices and remaining teeth of the elderly were cleaned with only toothbrush and toothpaste (100 %), with different daily frequencies among caregivers and no dentist instruction. The majority of caregivers was satisfied with the oral hygiene of the elderly (75 %) and the oral hygiene method (96.9 %) used, and showed no interest in learning new methods (81.3 %). The caregivers have an inadequate perception on oral health of the elderly population investigated, and oral hygiene care provided to the elderly is precarious. KEY WORDS: dental assistance for the elderly, caregivers, oral hygiene, long stay institution for the elderly, oral health.