title: Evaluation of a Japanese "Prevention of long-term care" project for the improvement in oral function in the high-risk elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to analyze the improvement in oral function and environment in high-risk elderly persons participating in a program to improve oral function organized by their local government.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants comprised 36 high-risk elderly and the mean age was 77.11 ± 7.24 years. The program involved training sessions carried out five or six times every 2-3 weeks for 3 months. Oral function and environment was evaluated before and after the program. The research period extended from 2008 to 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effects of intervention were clearly observed in oral diadochokinesis score in the high-risk elderly. Persons with a lower repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST) and oral diadochokinesis score before intervention showed a tendency toward even greater improvement. No significant changes were observed in saliva secretion or total amounts of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli, Candida or total microorganisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of intervention were clearly recognized in regards to oral diadochokinesis. Improvement in RSST and oral diadochokinesis scores was marked in those persons showing a lower number of articulations before intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Dentistry, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan. sakayoritakaharu@tdc.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takaharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakayori
authors.forename: Yoshinobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Mahito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Takuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishii
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology*; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010700:Phonetics; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology; D014099:Toothbrushing