title: Reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia among elderly patients in long-term care facilities through oral health interventions.
abstract: Aspiration pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality of elderly residents in long-term care facilities. The microflora present in the oral cavity because of poor oral hygiene has been associated with aspiration pneumonia. There is evidence that improved oral care can reduce the risk of developing aspiration pneumonia in the elderly. The purpose of this paper is to review aspiration pneumonia and provide oral health care guidelines in an effort to help reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarin
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balasubramaniam
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Corcoran
authors.forename: Joel M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Laudenbach
authors.forename: Eric T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Stoopler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010343:Patient Admission; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012112:Residential Facilities
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants