Oral Health Problems (oral + health_problem)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Association Between Dietary Quality of Rural Older Adults and Self-Reported Food Avoidance and Food Modification Due to Oral Health Problems

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2010
Margaret R. Savoca PhD
OBJECTIVES: To quantify the association between food avoidance and modification due to oral health problems, to examine the association between food practices and dietary quality, and to determine foods associated with these self-management behaviors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Rural North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty-five community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and food frequency data and oral health assessments were obtained during home visits. Avoidance (0, 1,2 foods, 3,14 foods) and modification (0,3 foods, 4,5 foods) due to oral health problems were assessed for foods representing oral health challenges. Food frequency data were converted into Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores. Linear regression models tested the significance of associations between HEI-2005 measures and food avoidance and modification. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of participants avoided three to 14 foods, and 28% modified four to five foods. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, poverty, education, and tooth loss, total HEI-2005 score was lower (P<.001) for persons avoiding more foods and higher for persons modifying more foods (P<.001). Those avoiding three to 14 foods consumed more saturated fat and energy from solid fat and added sugar and less nonhydrogenated fat than those avoiding fewer than three foods. Those who modified four to five foods consumed less saturated fat and solid fat and added sugar but more total grains than those modifying fewer than four foods. CONCLUSION: Food avoidance and modification due to oral health problems are associated with significant differences in dietary quality. Approaches to minimize food avoidance and promote food modification by persons having eating difficulties due to oral health conditions are needed. [source]


Testing the effect of including oral health in general health checks for elderly patients in medical practice , a randomized controlled trial

COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
C. Lowe
Abstract,,, Aim:, To test the feasibility and effectiveness of an oral health referral process for elderly patients (aged 75 years or over) attending a preventive health check (PHC) with their general medical practitioner. Objectives:, To evaluate the effectiveness of the process in increasing dental attendance at baseline and 6 months after the intervention. To identify key characteristics of those who accepted an oral health visit (OHV). To determine the proportion of people attending the OHV who required treatment and subsequently attended a dentist. Setting:, Three general medical practices in east Cheshire, UK. Design:, A randomized controlled trial. Method:, Elderly patients attending their general medical practice for PHCs were randomly assigned to a test group, who were invited to attend for an OHV, and to a control group, who received no intervention. Six months after the PHC the effectiveness of the process was measured. Results:, Some 50% of those invited for an OHV accepted. Those accepting were more likely to be edentulous, wear dentures or have a current oral health problem, than those declining. Regression analysis showed the best predictors of acceptance to be having a current dental problem or pain and not having a regular dentist. The mean time since their last dental visit was 8.1 years which was significantly longer than those declining the OHV. 63% of individuals attending the OHV were assessed as having a realistic treatment need and 70% of those referred went on to complete the course of treatment. In the test group a highly significant increase in reported dental visiting was found at sixth month evaluation. The primary care staff were happy to include the dental checklist and felt it was a valuable addition to the PHC. Conclusions:, The offer of an OHV was taken up most readily by those with current oral problems, or pain and those with no regular dentist. The inclusion of a dental checklist within the PHC for elderly patients together with help with arranging a dental appointment shows promise as a way of ensuring the dental needs of this group are met. [source]


Impact of new prostheses on the oral health related quality of life of edentulous patients

GERODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
J. L. Veyrune
Objective:, A study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the placement of complete dentures by using the Global Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Background:, Oral health quality of life indicators can be used to evaluate the effects of dental treatments. Material and methods:, The 26 participants were treated in a French University Clinic during 2002. They were randomly divided into two groups. Each group received new prostheses, but evaluation of the quality of life was made at different periods [baseline, denture placement (group 1), 6 and 12 weeks (group 2) after placement]. A questionnaire was used to collect information on patient's satisfaction with the previous and new prostheses. Nonparametric tests were used to test the relationships between patients' satisfaction or baseline data and GOHAI variations with time as well as to compare mean values of GOHAI within each group. Results:, At baseline, the impact of oral health problems was apparent; the mean GOHAI-Add score was 45.8 (10.2). Six weeks after placement of the new denture, there was no difference in GOHAI scores compared with the initial assessment. An improvement in GOHAI score was observed 12 weeks after the participants received their new dentures (p < 0.05). Change in GOHAI-Add scores was negatively correlated with the initial GOHAI-Add score. Patients who preferred the new prosthesis enjoyed a positive change in GOHAI scores (p < 0.001). There was a relationship between participants' satisfaction with the new dentures and change in GOHAI scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion:, The GOHAI can be used to evaluate needs for and effect of the making of new complete dentures. [source]


Implementation of oral health recommendations into two residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian city

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 3 2006
Tony Fallon BAppSc(Hons) PhD
Abstract Background, Residents of aged care facilities usually have a large number of oral health problems. Residents who suffer from dementia are at particular risk. A systematic review of the best available evidence with regard to maintaining the oral health of older people with dementia in residential aged care facilities provided a number of recommendations. Objectives, The aim of the implementation project was to introduce evidence-based oral hygiene practices for patients with dementia in two publicly funded residential aged care facilities and monitor for changes in nursing awareness, knowledge, documentation and practice to improve patient outcomes and ensure appropriate accreditation standards were met. An additional aim was to identify barriers and strategies to overcome barriers to implementation of evidence-based recommendations. Methods, Two facilities, a 40-bed facility and a 71-bed facility in the health service district of the regional Australian city of Toowoomba, provided the setting. A quality improvement approach was taken, using a number of strategies from the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for implementation studies. The implementation involved a number of stages, including project development, interactive oral health education, oral audits of residents, changes to oral hygiene practice via care plans and critical reflection. Results, The multidisciplinary approach to improving oral healthcare appeared to improve knowledge and awareness and move oral health practices in facilities closer to best practice. Specialised training in oral health was provided to a Clinical Nurse Consultant. Regular oral audits were introduced and facility staff were trained in the use of the oral audit tool. Care plans at one facility were of better quality and more comprehensive than before the intervention. Comments made during critical reflection suggested improvements in the oral health of residents, increased use of oral swabs and saliva substitutes, improved care of dentures and mention of the use of mouth props in resident care plans. There was also some evidence that changes brought about by the implementation are sustainable. Conclusion, The majority of recommendations provided in the systematic review of oral healthcare for dementia patients were applicable to the applied context. The importance of day-to-day leaders was highlighted by the apparently varied outcomes across target facilities. The quality improvement approach would appear to have considerable advantages when applied to improving practice in residential aged care. [source]


Association Between Dietary Quality of Rural Older Adults and Self-Reported Food Avoidance and Food Modification Due to Oral Health Problems

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 7 2010
Margaret R. Savoca PhD
OBJECTIVES: To quantify the association between food avoidance and modification due to oral health problems, to examine the association between food practices and dietary quality, and to determine foods associated with these self-management behaviors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Rural North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty-five community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and food frequency data and oral health assessments were obtained during home visits. Avoidance (0, 1,2 foods, 3,14 foods) and modification (0,3 foods, 4,5 foods) due to oral health problems were assessed for foods representing oral health challenges. Food frequency data were converted into Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores. Linear regression models tested the significance of associations between HEI-2005 measures and food avoidance and modification. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of participants avoided three to 14 foods, and 28% modified four to five foods. After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, poverty, education, and tooth loss, total HEI-2005 score was lower (P<.001) for persons avoiding more foods and higher for persons modifying more foods (P<.001). Those avoiding three to 14 foods consumed more saturated fat and energy from solid fat and added sugar and less nonhydrogenated fat than those avoiding fewer than three foods. Those who modified four to five foods consumed less saturated fat and solid fat and added sugar but more total grains than those modifying fewer than four foods. CONCLUSION: Food avoidance and modification due to oral health problems are associated with significant differences in dietary quality. Approaches to minimize food avoidance and promote food modification by persons having eating difficulties due to oral health conditions are needed. [source]


Asthma and oral health: a review

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010
MS Thomas
Abstract Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes the airways to constrict and produce excess mucus, making breathing difficult. It is characterized by the obstruction of airflow which is variable over a short period of time. This condition is reversible, either spontaneously or can be controlled with the help of drugs. Asthma medication comprises bronchodilators, corticosteroids and anticholinergic drugs. Most of these drugs are inhaled using various forms of inhalers or nebulizers. The effect of these drugs on oral health is the subject of debate among dental practitioners. Patients taking asthma medication may be at risk of dental caries, dental erosion, periodontal diseases and oral candidiasis. Hence, patients with bronchial asthma on medication should receive special prophylactic attention. This article reviews the correlation between asthma and oral health, and suggests various measures to counter possible oral health problems related to asthma. [source]


The increasing problem of hepatitis C virus infection

AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001
EA Coates
Abstract The widespread incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection throughout the community is of concern. Although many of those infected will not suffer significantly from their infection, up to one-third will have liver disease, fatigue and oral health problems. General dental practitioners need to be aware of the precautions necessary in traeating people with severe liver disease. This paper discusses the issues associated with treating patients who have HCV infection including the importance of preventive programs to reduce dental pathology and maximise oral health. [source]