Oral health comparison between the institutionalized and non institutionalized elderly

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Dental Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being, particularly in elderly populations.
• Hospitalized elderly individuals often face unique challenges impacting their oral hygiene and dental health status.
• Limited data exists on the comparative oral health of hospitalized versus community-dwelling elderly in Milan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the prevalence of periodontal disease and overall oral health status in hospitalized and non-hospitalized elderly patients in Milan.
• To identify disparities in oral health indicators between these two distinct elderly cohorts.

Main Methods:

• An epidemiological study involving 364 elderly patients (aged 65-104) in Milan.
• Patients were divided into two groups: 258 hospitalized and 106 non-hospitalized.
• Oral examinations utilized standard orthodontic mirrors, probes, and light, assessing Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN).

Main Results:

• Hospitalized patients exhibited a higher DMFT score (24.99) compared to non-hospitalized patients (19.82), indicating more decay.
• CPITN scores were 1.40 for hospitalized and 1.78 for non-hospitalized patients.
• A significant portion of patients (42.3%) were edentulous, with higher prevalence among hospitalized individuals (49.6%).

Conclusions:

• Elderly hospitalized patients present a higher burden of dental decay (DMFT) than their non-hospitalized counterparts.
• Both groups demonstrated a lack of awareness regarding proper oral hygiene techniques, as indicated by CPITN values.
• The findings underscore the urgent need for developing and implementing specialized oral health programs tailored for the elderly population.