Oral health status in individuals with dementia living in special facilities.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review was to retrieve data describing the oral health status of individuals with dementia living in special facilities.


METHODS
A literature search on the MEDLINE database (Entrez PubMed) was performed. The literature search yielded 208 papers, of which seven publications were selected for evaluation.


RESULTS
From the available studies poorer oral hygiene, decreased saliva flow rates and a higher caries incidence were reported in individuals with dementia living in special facilities when compared with healthy individuals. Oral health problems were more pronounced in the severe stage of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
There is limited scientific data describing the oral health status of individuals with dementia living in special facilities. However, available data indicate that individuals with dementia living in special facilities have more oral health problems than individuals without dementia.
Rejnefelt
I
I
Department of Health Sciences, Kristianstad University College, Kristianstad, Sweden.
Andersson
P
P
Renvert
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D004245:DMF Index; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000150:complications; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications*