Comparing the oral hygiene status of older adults with diagnosed dementia and their caregivers’ oral health knowledge in private and government long term residential care facilities

Abstract

The effect of good and poor oral health on quality of life is no diverse for people with dementia, however studies have shown that the amount of poor oral health is higher in people with cognitive impairment. Patients who encounter cognitive deterioration, experience increased difficulties when trying to obtain satisfactory hygiene routine and good oral health. The aim of this research is to compare the oral hygiene status of older adults diagnosed with dementia in government and private residential care facilities and to compare their caregivers’ oral health education and knowledge. It also explores whether the oral health methods of caregivers have an outcome on the oral hygiene status of patients with dementia. Therefore, to test the hypothesis that: a) there is a difference between the oral hygiene status of older adults in government and private long term care facilities, b) there is a difference between oral health education and knowledge of the care workers caring for the demented older adults in the said facilities and c) the oral health methods of caregivers do have an effect on the oral hygiene status of older adults in both facilities, questionnaire in Maltese and English versions was distributed to the caregivers in both homes, to obtain data on their general and oral health education and knowledge. Furthermore, 37 older adults with dementia living in a private and in a government residential home were assessed for oral hygiene status using a dental mirror and CPITN probe. Participants were examined using the following indices: Oral Hygiene Index Score, OHI-S, Basic Periodontal Examination and Sulcus Bleeding Index Score respectively. Clinical results have shown that there was there was a slight significance between SVPR and VM in Debris Index score (p=0.068), in which VM had lower value when compared to SVPR. VM had also lower values in Bleeding Scores (p=0.089) when compared to SVPR. Although this might be due to the small sample size since the study had to be interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been concluded that daily oral care is important for general health, well-being and quality of life of older adults with dementia. Daily oral care depends mainly on the caregivers’ performance. An oral health policy for demented people living in long term residential care facilities needs to be addressed and put into practice.