The oral hygiene and denture status among residential home residents

The aim of this study was to investigate the oral hygiene practices and denture status of elderly people living in a residential home. One hundred one elderly people living in Gurcesme Zubeyde Hanim Residential Home, Izmir-52 women (mean age 75.5 +/- 7.8) and 49 men (mean age 75.3 +/- 8.8)-participated in an interview. Their oral hygiene practices, self-perceived oral health, denture status, and needs of denture were noted down. Self-perceived oral health was very bad in 9.9%, bad in 47.5%, good in 33.7%, and very good in 8.9%. From 69 people who reported maintaining oral hygiene, the incidence of oral hygiene practice was 36.2% once a day, 31.9% three times a day, 21.8% once a week, and 10.1% seldom. The majority, 60 people (59.4%), were dentate. Among the dentate, 47 people (78.3%) had full denture, 4 (6.6%) removable partial denture, 2 (3.3%) fixed/removable partial denture, 5 (8.3%) full/removable partial denture, and 2 (3.3%) one or more fixed partial dentures. By gender, 57.6% female and 61.2% male subjects were dentate. The relationship between having a social security and having a denture was significant (p = 0.02); having a denture and needing a denture was also significantly related (p = 0.00). The high prevalence of needs for denture pointed to the requirement for frequent dental check ups. The most important need within the residents of the residential home was daily oral hygiene. Nurses trained on this subject are required.