Evaluation of an oral function promotion programme for the independent elderly in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to provide an oral function promotion programme for the independent elderly and evaluate the changes in oral health status and oral function.


BACKGROUND
Few studies have scientifically analysed and evaluated the effectiveness of oral function promotion programmes provided for the independent elderly.


METHODS
The subjects were independent elderly females (mean age: 74.6 +/- 6.3) recruited from senior citizens' centres in Tokyo. The intervention group (n = 79) received a 3-month oral function promotion programme, which included facial muscle and tongue exercises and salivary gland massages. The control group (n = 62) did not receive this programme.


RESULTS
In the intervention group, the tongue coating scores decreased and the organoleptic score of oral malodour fell. The amount of food debris in the oral cavity decreased and the tongue dryness improved. Furthermore, the salivary flow rate increased. The length of time for maintaining the tongue in the forward position increased from 11.2 s to 18.7 s, and the number of times for moving the tip of the tongue in a clockwise circular motion, counter-clockwise circular motion and side-to-side motion within 30 s, increased from 14.5 to 20.6, 14.5 to 20.2, and 17.2 to 23.3 respectively. The number of times for movement of the lips significantly improved from 23.0 to 28.8 and the pronunciation of words was observed to be clearer.


CONCLUSIONS
An oral function promotion programme was effective in improving the oral health status and oral function of an independent elderly population.
Hakuta
Chiyoko
C
Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. chiyo-haku0103@live.jp
Mori
Chisato
C
Ueno
Masayuki
M
Shinada
Kayoko
K
Kawaguchi
Yoko
Y
D000368:Aged; D004245:DMF Index; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007564:Japan; D008405:Massage; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D020247:Myofunctional Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000502:physiology; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy