Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Cognitive status and dental-related function in older adults seeking community-based dental care: A Pilot Study
Jirakate Madiloggovit-Lower1,2, Alexandria Cochrane Cashmore2,3, Tabitha Peter4
1Faculty of Dentistry Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
Objective:
This study aims to understand the prevalence of cognitive impairment and dentally-related functional (DRF) loss among older adults seeking community-based dental care.
Methods And Results:
A total of 149 adults aged 65 or older who visited the University of Iowa College of Dentistry Clinics and who had no prior documented cognitive impairment were recruited in 2017 and 2018. Participants underwent a brief interview, a cognitive assessment, and an assessment of DRF. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess associations between demographic variables, DRF, and cognitive function. Close to half (40.7%) of the patients presented with some degree of cognitive impairment, and impaired DRF was observed in 13.8%. Compared to those without cognitive impairment, elderly dental patients with cognitive impairment were 15% more likely to present with impaired DRF (odds ratio = 1.15, 95% CI = (1.05, 1.26).
Conclusion:
Cognitive impairment is likely more prevalent in older adults seeking dental care than is generally understood by providers. Given its impact on DRF, dental providers should be alert to the possible need to evaluate patients' cognitive status and DRF in order to be able to adjust treatment and recommendations accordingly.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....

