The prevalence and experience of oral diseases in Adelaide nursing home residents.
BACKGROUND
The twenty-first century will see the evolution of a population of dentate older Australians with dental needs very different from those of older adults in past years. This study provided comprehensive information concerning oral disease prevalence in older South Australian nursing home residents.


METHODS
This paper presents cross-sectional baseline results.


RESULTS
Most of the 224 residents, from seven randomly selected nursing homes, were functionally dependent, medically compromised, cognitively impaired and behaviourally difficult older adults who presented many complex challenges to carers and to dental professionals. Two-thirds (66 per cent) were edentulous with many dental problems and treatment needs. Dentate residents had a mean of 11.9 teeth present, higher than previously reported. The prevalence and experience of coronal and root caries and plaque accumulation was very high in dentate residents; especially males, those admitted more than three years previously, those who ate fewer food types and those who were severely cognitively impaired. These residents had more retained roots, decayed teeth and missing teeth, and fewer filled teeth when compared with data for community-dwelling older adults.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlighted the poor oral health status of these nursing home residents and the great impact of dementia on their high levels of oral diseases.
Dental School, The University of Adelaide, South Australia. jane.chalmers@adelaide.edu.au
J M
JM
Chalmers
C
C
Hodge
J M
JM
Fuss
A J
AJ
Spencer
K D
KD
Carter
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D017213:Root Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology