Oral health status and related behaviours of U.S. nursing home residents, 1995

SETTING: The 1995 U.S. National Nursing Home Survey. AIMS: A descriptive overview of reported oral health status and related behaviours for residents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SUBJECTS: 8,056 residents. INTERVENTION: Interviews by knowledgeable staff, examination of charts and/or personal knowledge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Information on the overall condition of oral health, edentulous status, presence/absence of dentures, difficulty chewing or biting, dental care received in past month, and method of payment for dental services in addition to personal characteristics and medical information. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of the residents were described as having excellent or very good oral health. Forty-one percent of the residents had difficulty chewing and biting. Almost one half of nursing home residents (47%) were totally edentulous. Twenty-six percent of residents had dental services paid for during the past month. Nursing home residents have multiple known barriers to oral health: ability to pay, extended periods of time without direct access to the dental care delivery system, and serious chronic medical conditions. objectives: ensuring adequate oral health care for institutionalized individuals.