title: Physical, mental and cognitive disabilities in relation to utilization of dental care services by nursing home residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting dental care utilization among nursing home residents in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 221 subjects with a mean age of 62.4 years (121 males and 100 females) taken from among nursing home residents across Jordan were recruited and composed a convenience sample for this study. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Tinetti Assessment Battery for gait and balance (TAB), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand test (DASH) were administered and oral health status was assessed for all subjects and examined as expected correlates of dental care utilization among nursing home residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was about 88%. One-third of residents suffered from total edentulism and most of the remaining dentate residents exhibited periodontal disease (90%). Of the dentate sample, 90% of residents had bleeding upon probing, 85% were diagnosed with tooth mobility, 88% had presence of dental calculus, and 30% were diagnosed with root caries. Of the denture wearers, 59.1 % reported having soreness with their dentures and 32% of denture wearers reported having poor quality dentures. MMSE score, suffering from tooth sensitivity and having diabetes mellitus were identified to be indicators for utilization of dental care services among the study population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular oral care, assessments, and rehabilitation services are considered to be limited for nursing home residents in Jordan. Based upon these findings, future interventions should address oral health among nursing home residents in Jordan.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Fidaa M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Almomani
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Wegdan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bani-Issa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009909:Oral Health
keywords: dental care; disabilities; nursing homes