Oral hygiene care status of elderly with dementia and in residential aged care facilities

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of oral hygiene care on plaque and gingival status of residents with dementia. BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene and oral hygiene care has been reported to be poor among the institutionalised elderly with dementia. The severity of oral diseases has been shown to increase with the severity of physical and cognitive impairment related with dementia. Little research has been carried out on plaque and gingival status of elderly with dementia and the impact of disability related with dementia on oral health in residential aged care facilities (RACF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 205 elderly residing in RACF in Perth. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the residents in RACF had dementia. Sixty percent of the residents with dementia and 75% of the residents with an Activities of Daily Living Oral Health score of D were assisted with oral care. Mean plaques scores and extent of gingival inflammation were higher for residents in the DD and D subgroups and resident with dementia. Residents assisted with brushing had higher mean plaque score and more moderate gingival inflammation. CONCLUSION: Oral hygiene care status in residents with dementia was poor despite the fact that oral care assistance was being provided.