title: Oral health in the terminally ill: a cross-sectional pilot survey.
abstract: This study of 20 hospice patients provided baseline information on oral and dental status in the terminally ill. For each patient, a questionnaire was completed, the mouth was examined, and an oral rinse and imprint cultures were collected to establish the prevalence and intra-oral density of yeasts, staphylococci and coliforms. Oral symptoms reported included disturbance of taste (26%), dysphagia (37%), soreness (42%), and dryness (58%). Of the 75% who wore dentures, 71% had difficulty with their prosthesis (es). A clinical diagnosis of oral candidiasis was made in 70% of subjects. The high prevalence of oral symptoms, denture problems, and candidiasis clearly affect the quality of remaining life in terminally ill patients.
authors.affiliation: Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aldred
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Addy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bagg
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Finlay
mesh_terms: D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000150:complications; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003778:Dentures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D009909:Oral Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000150:complications; D013727:Terminal Care; D014852:Wales