Biomaterial Database

Oral health needs of elderly short-term patients in a geriatric department of a general hospital. 2000

A Mersel, and I Babayof, and A Rosin

Department of Community Dentistry, Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. mersa1@netvision.net.il

The purpose of this study was to estimate the realistic dental needs of an elderly short-stay patient in a geriatric department. One segment of the elderly population at risk for whom surveillance would appear extremely important are those admitted temporarily to the hospital for acute or acute-on-chronic care. Little has been written about the oral needs of such patients. The study population was comprised of 468 patients of a geriatric department in a medical center examined by a dentist trained in gerodontics. An evaluation of the results showed that 65.3% needed direct oral hygiene assistance. Only 16.4% are able to participate in oral hygiene instruction; a few of them--6.6%--had a need of prosthodontic treatment. A once-weekly screening program was required to handle the oral problems, mainly Candida infections. Close cooperation with the ward staff is essential in order to develop and promote good oral hygiene for this very frail elderly population.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009909	Oral Health	The optimal state of the mouth and normal functioning of the organs of the mouth without evidence of disease.	Health, Oral
D009910	Oral Hygiene	The practice of personal hygiene of the mouth. It includes the maintenance of oral cleanliness, tissue tone, and general preservation of oral health.	Dental Hygiene,Hygiene, Dental,Hygiene, Oral
D002180	Candidiasis, Oral	Infection of the mucous membranes of the mouth by a fungus of the genus CANDIDA. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Moniliasis, Oral,Thrush,Candidiases, Oral,Moniliases, Oral,Oral Candidiases,Oral Candidiasis,Oral Moniliases,Oral Moniliasis
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D003773	Dental Plaque	A film that attaches to teeth, often causing DENTAL CARIES and GINGIVITIS. It is composed of MUCINS, secreted from salivary glands, and microorganisms.	Plaque, Dental
D003778	Dentures	An appliance used as an artificial or prosthetic replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It does not include CROWNS; DENTAL ABUTMENTS; nor TOOTH, ARTIFICIAL.	Denture
D005853	Geriatrics	The branch of medicine concerned with the physiological and pathological aspects of the aged, including the clinical problems of senescence and senility.	Gerontology
D006267	Health Education, Dental	Education which increases the awareness and favorably influences the attitudes and knowledge relating to the improvement of dental health on a personal or community basis.	Dental Health Education,Education, Dental Health
D006301	Health Services Needs and Demand	Health services required by a population or community as well as the health services that the population or community is able and willing to pay for.	Health Services Needs,Needs,Needs and Demand, Health Services,Target Population,Health Services Need,Need, Health Services,Needs, Health Services,Population, Target,Populations, Target,Target Populations
D006748	Hospital Departments	Major administrative divisions of the hospital.	Departments, Hospital,Department, Hospital,Hospital Department