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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Dental Care Needs and Treatment Priorities in a Homeless Population in Rome: An Observational Study
Roberta Lione1, Francesca Chiara De Razza1,2, Roberto Morello3
1Department of Health Sciences, UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International Medical University, 00131 Rome, Italy.
Dentistry Journal
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Homeless individuals in Rome exhibit severe oral health issues, including high rates of poor hygiene, decay, and periodontal disease. A structured dental protocol improved treatment adherence and quality of life for this population.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Public Health
- Dental Medicine
Background:
- Homeless populations face significant barriers to accessing dental care.
- Oral health is intrinsically linked to overall health and social well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess oral health conditions among homeless individuals in Rome.
- To determine the most needed dental treatments for this demographic.
- To develop and evaluate a standardized, accessible clinical protocol for their dental care.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive dental examinations were conducted on 500 homeless individuals.
- Assessments included oral hygiene, caries (DMFT scores), periodontal health, and edentulism.
- A sequential treatment protocol was implemented for restorative and prosthetic care.
Main Results:
- 85.4% had poor hygiene, 63.0% had high DMFT scores, and 94.0% had periodontal disease.
- 24.0% experienced complete edentulism, requiring significant prosthetic rehabilitation.
- The sequential protocol achieved a 78.4% appointment attendance rate, with 150 patients receiving dentures.
Conclusions:
- Homeless individuals present with severe oral health deterioration, necessitating comprehensive dental services.
- The developed sequential treatment protocol is feasible, effective, and improves patient adherence.
- Improved oral health via dental services enhances quality of life, digestion, aesthetics, and employment prospects.
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