ABSTRACT
The objective of this pilot study was to provide data on the oral health status and oral health behaviour of care-dependent elderly people in the canton of Uri. The study aimed at assessing whether age and duration of living in a nursing home is associated with dental attendance, whether there is a relationship between age and the DMF-T index, and how high the risk was for participants to develop oral health problems. The study offered mobile dental services to people residing in nursing homes (NHG) and to community dwellers (CDG). Data was collected on demographics, medical history, presence of pain, ability to eat and oral health behaviour by means of a questionnaire. A clinical examination was performed and data on the oral status was collected. Statistical methods were: median tests, linear regressions and descriptive statistics. Uptake of the programme was low. 56 participants were examined. 47 participants (24 females, 23 males, average age 86.3 ± 7.36 years) resided in nursing home, nine participants (seven females, two males, average age 76 ± 12.8 years) were community dwellers. No significant differences were found between frequency of dental attendance and age (p = 0.35) or duration of stay in a nursing home (p = 0.55). The number of decayed teeth (p=0.005), missing teeth (p=0.01), and the DMF-T index (average in NHG = 26.5, CDG = 20.2, p < 0.001) increased, the number of filled teeth (p=0.02) decreased as age increased. Upon calculation of the 'Teamwerk-index', which takes into account oral health behaviour, dental caries, periodontal status, the majority of participants had a medium risk of developing oral health problems. Our pilot study in rural Switzerland provides first results of the oral health status in dependent elderly people. As people age, oral health deteriorates. More attention should be given in order to achieve better oral hygiene maintenance and more regular dental visits, to ensure a better oral health status in dependent elderly people.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This work aimed at describing mobile dental services provided by both the private sector and the universities in Switzerland to dependent elderly people. It also aimed at presenting the views of both sectors on the current status of these services. BACKGROUND: As people age and become more care-dependent, their oral health requirements increase, as access to dental care decreases. METHOD: A survey was sent to practitioners who potentially provided a mobile dental service (n = 253). Five interviews were conducted with six individuals who have a leading role in Geriatric dentistry in the four universities in Switzerland that provide dental training. RESULTS: The private sector provides a mobile dental service to the elderly mainly through the use of portable equipment, while university services are provided by different models. The interviewees discussed the reasons as to why these services were set up. They discussed the challenges associated with treating dependent elderly patients, which often makes work in this field hard and unattractive. Both sectors see the need for better collaboration with other professionals. CONCLUSION: The private sector in Switzerland provides a mobile dental service to elderly people mostly through the use of portable equipment, while university services are provided in a variable configuration of models. Better collaboration is required to improve dental care and service delivery to dependent elders. There is a potential for improvement of these services, in order to meet the demand of an ageing population, catering for both the institutionalised elders and those living at home.
