Oral care for successful aging in long-term care.
The oral health of frail elders residing in long-term care facilities is very poor, probably because access to dental services is limited and help with daily mouth care is almost nonexistent. Recent concerns and interest have been raised through the cooperation of administrators, nursing staff, and dental personnel to address this apparent neglect. Moreover, evidence shows that caries and periodontal disorders can be managed successfully in geriatric populations. Consequently, there is a basis on which to develop a practical strategy for mouth care that should reduce the morbidity and early mortality in long-term care and to assist an increasingly frail and dependent population to age successfully.
Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3. macentee@interchange.ubc.ca
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D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011788:Quality of Life