[Effect of an oral function improvement program based on remote intervention].
OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect of an oral function improvement program based on the remote intervention by non-specialist assistant as coordinators, who played the role of intermediary between the participants and dental hygienists.


METHODS
Among senior citizens aged 65 or older living on pacific islands within the area of greater Tokyo (Tosyobu), 55 people participated in this study. Dental hygienists educated the coordinators beforehand. The participants were evaluated on mastication ability, swallowing ability and oral function-related quality of life (QOL) by dental hygienists before and after the program. The participants did the oral health improvement program every day at home, using materials provided by the dental hygienists. The coordinators reported compliance and questions about the oral function improvement program to the dental hygienists by fax once a week. The dental hygienists replied with technical advice on continuing the exercises, to coordinators by fax.


RESULTS
The summed time of 3 times of repetitive saliva swallowing test was significantly reduced (p<0.01). The oral diadochokinesis of articulation function was significantly improved (p<0.01). The color of the mastication function assessment gum significantly improved (p<0.01). Scores on the general oral health assessment index, an index of oral-related QOL, also significantly increased (p<0.05). The items about dental hygiene also improved on the same index.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral function was improved in terms of swallowing, articulation, chewing, hygiene and QOL. This research suggests that the program, in which dental hygienists are involved in a remote way through coordinators, and offer services for oral function improvement, can be effective to improve the oral function of the elderly.
Sekiguchi
Haruko
H
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology.
Obuchi
Shuichi
S
Kojima
Narumi
N
Arai
Takeshi
T
Hirano
Hirohiko
H
Kojima
Motonaga
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D014041:Tokyo