Oral health and treatment needs of the long-term hospitalised elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the oral health and treatment needs of the long-term hospitalised elderly.


METHODS
The Laakso long-term hospital, Helsinki, Finland.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study with clinical oral examinations.


METHODS
All long-term patients (n = 260) aged 60 and older.


METHODS
Edentulousness, presence and hygiene of dentures, mucosal findings, number of teeth, functioning teeth and tooth remnants, level of dental hygiene, and need for operative treatment.


RESULTS
Subjects' mean age was 83.3 years (SD = 8.1); 42% were edentulous, 45% of women and 33% of men (p = 0.12). With no gender difference, 41% had removable dentures, but one in four were considered to be in need of repair or replacement. Denture hygiene was good in 19%, moderate in 44%, and poor in 37%, and for men worse than for women (p = 0.02). Stomatitis was found in 25%, and angular cheilitis in 28% of the denture wearers. The dentate subjects had on average 12.4 (SD = 8.6) teeth with a clear difference by age (p = 0.03), but no difference by gender. Dental hygiene was considered poor. Of the dentate subjects, 37% were in need of restorations, 51% of periodontal therapy and 42% of extractions.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral cleanliness should be improved with regards to dentures and teeth. More attention should be focused on dental care of the long-term hospitalised elderly.
Peltola
Petteri
P
Department of Health, City of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. petteri.peltola@hel.fi
Vehkalahti
Miira M
MM
Wuolijoki-Saaristo
Kirsti
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006763:Hospitals, Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013282:Stomatitis, Denture / Q000209:etiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology