Oral Health of Older Individuals in Long-Term Care: An Evaluation of Residents in Private Homes and Nursing Homes

Introduction: The demographic change results in an increasing number of older adults in long-term care. Long-term care can be provided either noninstitutionalized by nurses/relatives at private home or institutionalized in nursing homes. As oral health is associated with general health and overall quality of life, numerous studies addressed the oral health of older people in nursing homes. Clinical investigations focusing on older high-maintenance people living at their private home are still limited. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was the evaluation and comparison of the oral health of older individuals in long-term care living at home and in nursing homes. Methods: Data were collected from 121 home residents and 243 nursing home residents. A questionnaire was used for self-reported data. Within the intraoral examination, Decayed/Missed/Filled Teeth (DMFT), the condition of the oral mucosa and oral hygiene and removable dental prostheses were recorded. Results: Nursing home residents were older (85.4±9.01 years) than home residents (82.7±9.87 years). Most participants had not used dental services for several years and the DMFT value was higher the longer the utilization was delayed. The older removable dental prostheses were, the higher the DMFT value was. The condition of oral hygiene and mucosa was better with higher DMFT values. Overall, 77.6% of the home residents and 80.9% of the nursing home residents, respectively, felt satisfied with their personal oral situation.