Oral microbial flora and oral malodour of the institutionalised elderly in Japan

OBJECTIVES: To determine the oral health status, especially the level of oral microbial flora and oral malodour, of institutionalised elderly people compared with non-institutionalised elderly people. SETTING: Three institutions and numerous private homes. SUBJECTS: 56 institutionalised and 56 non-institutionalised elderly people. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Institutionalised elderly people had higher levels of candida, staphylococci, and oral malodour. RESULTS: Institutionalised elderly people had a higher level of candida in denture wearers, and a higher level of staphylococci and oral malodour compared with the non-institutionalised elderly. CONCLUSION: The institutionalised elderly have a higher risk of opportunistic infections and oral health care should be improved to protect them from these infections and to reduce oral malodour.