title: Comparison of oral health among older people with and without dementia.
abstract: Older people with dementia are very dependent on nursing, and caregivers are frequently confronted with oral-care-resistant behaviour which may lead to shortcomings in oral health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare oral hygiene and health status of institutionalised older people suffering, or not, from dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study (single-blind).
  
  
  METHODS
  Institutionalised older population in south-west Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three, allocated to two groups: dementia (n = 57) and non-dementia (n = 36) based on a mini mental state examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Target variables were plaque control record (PCR), gingival bleeding index (GBI), community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), and denture hygiene index (DHI). Differences between the dementia and non-dementia groups were evaluated by univariate testing of all target variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate analysis revealed the amount of plaque in the dementia group was significantly higher than in the non-dementia group (p = 0.004). Mean CPITN of participants in the dementia group was significantly worse than those of participants in the non-dementia group (p < 0.001). All participants in the dementia group had periodontitis in at least one of the sextants, compared with 74% in the non-dementia group (p < 0.001). For DHI (p = 0.198) and GBI (p = 0.275) no differences were found between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some aspects of oral hygiene and health seem to be worse for the institutionalised older people with dementia. Permanent specially adapted intervention for residents suffering from dementia in long-term care homes, and training for caregivers, is desirable to maintain life-long oral hygiene and health.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zenthöfer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rammelsberg
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hassel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003778:Dentures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method