Evaluation of an oral health service for nursing home residents

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a comprehensive, on-site, oral health care program for nursing home residents. Before and after a 1-year evaluation period the elderly residents in the nursing home (NH-1) were interviewed and examined clinically. A comparable control group comprising the elderly residents in another nursing home (NH-2) were also interviewed and clinically examined before and after a 1-year period. The main objectives of the program were to increase the utilization of the dental care system, to meet the need for immediate attention, to improve oral hygiene, to reduce the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions, gingivitis, and untreated decay, and to meet the realistic prosthodontic treatment need. All the elderly residents accepted a yearly examination by a dentist, and 50% were treated in NH-1 during the evaluation period, compared with 16% in NH-2. The need for immediate attention was reduced by 56% in NH-1 and had increased by 20% in NH-2. Whether the activities in NH-2 qualify as an oral health program with on-site examinations and referral for treatment outside the institution is discussed. The annual cost per resident during the evaluation period was a little more in NH-2 than in NH-1. The conclusion is that oral health improved during the observation period in both nursing homes. The rate of participation and the improvement in oral health was most evident in NH-1.