Periodontal status in long‐term care: a comparative study in older adults with & without dementia at St. Vincent De Paul residence

Abstract

In literature, health is often contrasted with disease, yet its definition varies by context, ranging from physical and social to economic well‐being. In dentistry, periodontal health specifically refers to the clinical state of periodontal structures (Mariotti & Hefti, 2015). Traditionally, periodontal health is understood as the absence of inflammation, shallow probing depths, and no gingival bleeding. However, definitions vary, incorporating indicators such as probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Research highlights the relevance of periodontal status in cognitive decline. Nascimento et al. (2019) link periodontal inflammation to neuroinflammation. Lauritano et al. (2019) found no major differences in oral health between older adults with and without dementia, though the authors noted higher gingival bleeding in those with dementia. This study aims to compare the periodontal health of older adults with and without dementia in long‐term care, identifying clinical trends and cognitive‐related risk factors over time.