title: Effectiveness of an alcohol-free essential oil-containing mouthwash in institutionalised elders receiving long-term care: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a feasibility study on investigating the effectiveness of an alcohol-free essential oil mouthwash (AF-EOMW) to reduce plaque accumulation and oral pathogen levels in institutionalised elders receiving long-term care and to obtain preliminary results.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although simple, cost-effective strategies to improve oral hygiene in seniors such as the use of mouthwashes have been shown to reduce the risks of respiratory diseases, little information is available on the feasibility of implementing these measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five elderly participants with significant loss of autonomy were initially recruited and divided into two groups. A test group rinsed with an AF-EOMW twice a day, and a control group rinsed with tap water. Data on demographic characteristics, dental history and tobacco use were collected from a questionnaire. Problems encountered during recruitment and data collection were documented. Plaque index, denture cleanliness and salivary levels of several pathogens were measured at three time points: baseline (T0 ), day 22 (T1 ) and day 45 (T2 ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen participants completed the study. Several problems were encountered during recruitment and execution of the study protocol. No significant differences in clinical or microbiological measures were found between the test group and controls at three time points (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study shows that, if sufficient logistical and financial resources are available, it is feasible to conduct randomised clinical trials in a seniors' facility. The use of an AF-EOMW to improve oral hygiene in seniors was not found to be superior to tap water. However, larger controlled clinical studies are needed to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Elsy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chalhoub
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emami
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freijé
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kandelman
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campese
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: St-Georges
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voyer
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rompré
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barbeau
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leduc
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Durand
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D002170:Canada; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects; D003710:Demography; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D003778:Dentures; D000431:Ethanol; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064424:Tobacco Use; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol
keywords: institutionalised elderly; microbiology; mouthwash; oral hygiene