title: Preventive oral health intervention among old home care clients.
abstract: poor oral health is common among older people dependent on supportive care and it affects their quality of life. Cognitive impairment and functional dependency may increase the risk of compromised daily oral hygiene.
  
  
  
  to investigate the effectiveness of a tailored preventive oral health intervention among home care clients aged 75 years or over.
  
  
  
  the intervention group comprised 151 patients (84.4 ± 5.6 years) and the control group 118 patients (84.7 ± 5.2 years). An interview and a clinical examination were carried out before a tailored intervention of oral and denture hygiene. The participants in both groups were re-interviewed and re-examined after 6 months.
  
  
  
  the intervention significantly reduced the number of plaque covered teeth and improved denture hygiene. In addition, functional ability and cognitive function were significantly associated with better oral hygiene.
  
  
  
  the intervention had a positive effect on oral hygiene, however the number of teeth with plaque remained high, even after the intervention. Multiple approaches based on individual needs are required to improve the oral health of vulnerable older adults, including integrating dental preventive care into daily care plan carried out by home care nurses.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Annamari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nihtilä
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Eveliina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tuuliainen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komulainen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Public Health Center, Oral Health Care Services, City of Äänekoski, Finland.
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Autonen-Honkonen
authors.affiliation: Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nykänen
authors.affiliation: Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Sirpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartikainen
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahonen
authors.affiliation: Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Miia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tiihonen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Anna Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Suominen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers; D003071:Cognition; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003820:Denture Cleansers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003778:Dentures / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064691:Nurses, Community Health; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003820:Denture Cleansers; D009067:Mouthwashes
keywords: dental plaque; denture; older people; oral hygiene; preventive intervention