December 2008

Volume 25, Issue 4

Oral health problems and needs in nursing home residents in Northern Italy

Authors: R. Ferro A. Besostri L. Strohmenger L. Mazzucchelli G. Paoletti A. Senna E. Stellini S. Mazzoleni
doi: 10.1922/CDH_1994Ferro06

Abstract

Objective: To describe the oral health status and treatment needs of a sample of elderly people residing in nursing homes in Northern Italy. Research design: a sample of 595 elderly residents (mean age 83.2±9.2 yrs), with adequate cognitive skills were examined by six calibrated dentists. Results: The sample (82% women) was divided into two groups: edentulous (43%) and dentate. In the edentulous group 58% wore dentures in both jaws, 8% in only one jaw and 34% had no dentures. The main problems were dirty or loose dentures and poor oral hygiene. In the dentate group the mean number of teeth was 8.4±7.4, 53% wore dentures (removable, fixed or a combination). Poor oral hygiene was found in 86%, root caries in 51% and coronal caries in 46%. Their main needs were professional cleaning (72%), oral hygiene instructions (62%) and tooth/root extractions (56%). While normative needs were noted for 82% of the whole sample, oral treatment needs were accurately perceived by only 20% of residents, poorly by 24%, while 46% indicated that they had no oral treatment needs. Key words: Elderly, nursing home, oral health status, oral needs

Download

Other articles in this issue

Article Pages Access
Editorial - The statistical legacy of William Sealy Gosset (“Student”) 194-195 Download
Effect of tooth loss and denture status on oral health-related quality of life of older individuals from Sri Lanka 196-200 Download
The distribution of general dental practitioners with NHS contract numbers in relation to the distance of their practices from the seven dental undergraduate teaching hospitals in England outside London 201-204 Download
Evaluation of oral health-related quality of life questionnaires in a general child population 205-210 Download
Retention and effectiveness of fissure sealants in Kuwaiti school children 211-215 Download
Loss of sealant retention and subsequent caries development. 216-220 Download
Oral health and treatment needs among 15-year-olds in Tehran, Iran 221-225 Download
The frequency of periodontal infrabony defects on panoramic radiographs of an adult population seeking dental care 226-230 Download
Oral health problems and needs in nursing home residents in Northern Italy 231-236 Download
Caries prevalence and need for dental care in 13–18-year-olds in the Municipality of Milan, Italy. 237-242 Download
Number of teeth and serum lipid peroxide in 85-year-olds 243-247 Download
Access to dental services for people with a physical disability: a survey of general dental practitioners in Leicestershire, UK 248-252 Download
Short Communication - Risk indicators of dental caries in 5-year-old Brazilian children 253-256 Download

Subscribe

Online (Single user only)
£150
Institution Online (IP address validation)
£250

Back issues may be obtained from the publisher

Consider recommending subscription to your institution's library

You can view Open Access papers without a subscription.