Abstract | OBJECTIVE: BACKGROUND: The Australian population is ageing with a growing proportion of elderly Australians living in nursing homes. With declining edentulism rates, periodontal disease is becoming more prevalent in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 275 dentate residents from 31 Victorian nursing homes had a questionnaire and clinical examination using the Visual Plaque Index and a modified Community Periodontal Index. RESULTS: Self-reported oral hygiene habits of residents were poor, with less than one-third of residents cleaning their teeth twice daily or more. Periodontal health was found to be extremely poor, and the prevalence of 4 mm+ periodontal pockets was 35.6%, with 10.2% having 6 mm+ pockets. Logistic regression found that age, gender, number of teeth present and oral hygiene were all strongly associated with the prevalence of 4 mm+ periodontal pockets. CONCLUSION: Poor oral hygiene and the presence of significant plaque and calculus were common findings in this study. Periodontal diseases are a significant problem for residents in nursing homes. Addressing this health issue will require improved training for carers and better access to appropriate dental services.
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Authors | Matthew S Hopcraft, Michael V Morgan, Julie G Satur, F A Clive Wright, Ivan B Darby |
Journal | Gerodontology
(Gerodontology)
Vol. 29
Issue 2
Pg. e220-8
(Jun 2012)
ISSN: 1741-2358 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21083744
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2010 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S. |
Topics |
- Age Factors
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Chronic Disease
- Dementia
(epidemiology)
- Dental Calculus
(epidemiology)
- Dental Plaque Index
- Drug Therapy
(statistics & numerical data)
- Female
- Gingival Recession
(epidemiology)
- Gingivitis
(epidemiology)
- Homes for the Aged
(statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Male
- Nursing Homes
(statistics & numerical data)
- Oral Hygiene
(statistics & numerical data)
- Periodontal Diseases
(epidemiology)
- Periodontal Index
- Periodontal Pocket
(epidemiology)
- Periodontitis
(epidemiology)
- Self Report
- Sex Factors
- Tooth Loss
(epidemiology)
- Toothbrushing
(statistics & numerical data)
- Victoria
(epidemiology)
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