A comparative analysis of oral hygiene in nursing homes with and without a structured oral healthcare programme

The objective of this study is to compare the oral hygiene (dental and denture plaque) among residents in nursing homes that have implemented an oral healthcare programme (Gerodent) with that of residents in nursing homes that provide standard oral care.

Gerodent is a comprehensive oral healthcare programme introduced in 2010, which includes mobile on-site professional oral care. Sixty-two nursing homes have actively implemented Gerodent between 8 and 12 years preceding this study.

A cross-sectional study compared a cluster random sample of Gerodent nursing home residents to residents of matched control nursing homes. Residents' dental (Turesky Index) and denture plaque (Augsburger & Elahi Index) scores were collected as primary outcome variables. Data on tongue plaque, oral hygiene aids and demographic characteristics were recorded. Data were collected between 2020 and 2023. Generalised estimating equations were used to compare the oral hygiene between both study groups.

Residents in the Gerodent group (n = 171) had significantly lower mean dental and denture plaque scores than their counterparts in the non-Gerodent group (n = 159; dental plaque 1.68 vs. 2.71; RR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.23-0.44; and denture plaque 1.60 vs. 2.21; RR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.42-0.72). While basic oral hygiene aids were available to most residents in both groups, denture brushes were more common in the Gerodent group.

Residents in Gerodent nursing homes had significantly better oral hygiene than those older people residing in non-Gerodent nursing homes, although plaque scores were insufficient to prevent oral conditions. Oral health professionals need to work with and provide ongoing support in long-term care facilities to further improve oral hygiene.