Oral health status of institutionalized geriatric residents in Metro Manila

A study was done on geriatric residents from three institutions in Metro Manila namely La Verna I and II, a retirement home of Sisters of Franciscan Immaculate Concepcion; Hospicio de San Jose, a catholic welfare institution for the very young as well as for the very old; and Golden Acres, a government institution that takes care of indigent old/elderly people. A total of 176 geriatric residents were examined, majority are from Golden Acres with 121, followed by Hospicio de San Jose with 30 and lastly La Verna I and II with 25. In general, the oral health status of geriatric residents is very poor especially at Golden Acres and Hospicio de San Jose. Since all the resident sisters in La Verna I and II are highly educated, their oral health status is fair to good. The more prevalent medical problems the geriatric residents had are: Cataract (54); Hypertension/Cardiac Disorders (46); Rheumatoid Arthritis (30); Respiratory Diseases (29); Blood Diseases (28); Diabetes Mellitus (14); Skin Diseases (10); Impaired Hearing (13); Neurologic Problems (19); and Psychological Problems (2).