Oral health status of institutionalised elderly in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the oral health status of institutionalized elderly in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Older adults in 56 elderly homes were clinically examined in the institution by one of two calibrated dentists using standard methods recommended by the World Health Organization. Information on their perceived oral health status and behaviour was obtained from an interview.


RESULTS
A total of 3153 elderly aged 65 years or above (mean = 79.8) were examined. Around 20% of them were edentulous. The mean DMFT score was 23.0 (DT = 2.6; MT = 20.1; FT = 0.3). The percentage of dentate subjects with healthy gingivae, bleeding on probing, calculus, shallow pockets, and deep pockets (according to the highest CPI score) were 1, 2, 41, 37 and 20 respectively. Two-thirds of the elderly reported having difficulties chewing, and over half had not visited a dentist for over 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The oral health status of institutionalised elderly in Hong Kong is poor and needs to be improved.
Lo
Edward C M
EC
Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, The Prince Philip Dental Hospital, P.R. China. hrdplcm@hku.hk
Luo
Yan
Y
Dyson
John E
JE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004245:DMF Index; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000453:epidemiology; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology; D009909:Oral Health; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000453:epidemiology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology