Identification of elderly in particular need: results of a survey undertaken in residential homes in the Manchester area.
OBJECTIVE
This paper aims to identify which groups of elderly people living in residential institutions are in particular need of dental care and advice. Comparison of different types of residential institution allows identification of elderly in greatest need of dental assistance.


METHODS
A postal survey of carers in 250 residential homes for elderly people in Manchester, UK, was undertaken to determine the frequency of dental visits, arrangements for dental care of the residents' teeth and denture cleansing and appliance-wearing patterns and, also, the carers' knowledge and practice of simple dental and oral maintenance procedures for residents. Comparisons were undertaken using the SPSS software package of: social service and private homes, large and small homes, homes where regular visits were undertaken and those not regularly visited, and also homes which maintained records of their clients' dental state with those which did not.


RESULTS
Residents' oral health tended to be more at risk in smaller or privately managed homes, in those where no dentist visited regularly and where no records of dental care were kept.


CONCLUSIONS
The dental profession needs to especially target homes where care is less well organized, not only to examine and treat residents, but also to instruct carers in simple mouth care techniques, in order that dental disability in an increasingly dentate population can be minimized.
Hoad-Reddick
G
G
Department of Restorative Dentistry, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, UK.
Heath
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003792:Dental Records; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000145:classification / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012947:Social Work; D014099:Toothbrushing