2Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, AYDIN Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status of elderly residents in the Nursing Home of Aydin Social Services, and to determine related risk factors.
Materials and Method: The assessment of oral health was performed by first-year dental students using a structured questionnaire and by clinical examinations performed by an experienced physician in an examination room. Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed for the comparison of non-parametric continuous variables in independent groups.
Results: A total of 114 (78.6%) elderly residents were included. Of these, 5 (4.4%) visited a dentist regularly, 7 (6.1%) had not visited a dentist yet, and 78 (68.4%) had presented to a dentist with a complaint. No significant difference was found in the dental status between genders, and community periodontal indices did not significantly differ between age groups or gender. Decayed crown (p<0.002), decayed root (p<0.011), and filled teeth (p<0.006) scores were significant in the £74-year-old age group than in the 75–84-year-old age group. In contrast, missing teeth (p<0.001) and decayed, missing, and filled teeth scores (p<0.001) were significant in the 75–84-year-old age group than in the £74-year-old age group. Dental and periodontal statuses did not increase with age.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study are important for the development of preventative and promotional dental health programs for the elderly. Oral health services may require better organization in nursing homes. The presence of a dental practitioner or access to regular dental visits to a specific dental unit will provide support in maintaining oral health in the elderly.
Keywords : Oral health; Aged; Nursing Homes