Oral disease in the elderly in long-term hospital care.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain baseline information on the prevalence of oral problems and disease in institutionalized elderly in a Scottish hospital.


METHODS
A cross-sectional clinical investigation with complementary microbiological studies as appropriate.


METHODS
A cohort of 147 elderly in five long-term care wards; collection of demographic data; clinical examination to determine: i) the dental and denture status and associated lesions such as Candida-associated denture stomatitis and angular cheilitis, ii) oral mucosal disease; swabs as appropriate for microbiology.


METHODS
Dental status, root caries prevalence; denture status and hygiene, and associated disease; oral mucosal health.


RESULTS
Median period of institutionalization of 147 patients was 15 months and 65% were aged 80 years or more; the majority were significantly mentally impaired; 52% wore complete dentures, 9% were partially dentate, 19% possessed partial or incomplete dentures; 20% were neither dentate nor had dentures. Of 80 patients who verbalised their complaints, 35% complained of dry mouth and 45% had denture-related problems, principally discomfort. The commonest oral finding was a coated tongue (56%); angular cheilitis was present in 25%, and Candida-associated denture stomatitis in 19%; none had oral ulcers.


CONCLUSIONS
There was considerable unmet dental need with significant oral disease and poor levels of oral and denture hygiene in this target group; both dental and medical professionals should act in concert to deliver curative as well as preventative dental care for the elderly living in institutions to improve their quality of life.
Samaranayake
L P
LP
Oral Biology Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong.
Wilkieson
C A
CA
Lamey
P J
PJ
MacFarlane
T W
TW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D003778:Dentures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D017213:Root Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000453:epidemiology