Evaluating the effect of management on patients with oral hypofunction: A longitudinal study

Declining oral function may affect subsequent physical frailty in the older population. The aim of this longitudinal study was to summarise data on patients who underwent functional oral examination and evaluate the impact of management on patients with oral hypofunction (OHF).

Dental outpatients aged over 65 years at their initial visit to the Niigata University Hospital received detailed assessment of seven oral function items to diagnose oral hypofunction using diagnostic criteria defined by the Japanese Society of Gerodontology. Patients with OHF at the first assessment received management including oral health guidance for low function and dental treatment. They were re-evaluated approximately 6 months later and the two assessments were compared. According to the results of the second assessment, the patients were divided into two groups: OHF improved and OHF re-diagnosed.

Of the 273 patients who underwent the first assessment, 86 (31.5%) were diagnosed with OHF and received management. Of those, 42 (48.8%) completed the second assessment. Comparing the first and second assessment, significant improvement was observed in oral hygiene, occlusal force, tongue-lip motor function of /pa/, mastication and swallowing. The change in values from the first assessment demonstrated a significant difference between the OHF improved and re-diagnosed groups only in occlusal force.

Management for patients with OHF can contribute to the improvement of poor oral function, and an increase in occlusal force was notable in the recovery from OHF.