Manual dexterity and dental biofilm accumulation in independent older adults without hand disabilities: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the relationship between manual dexterity and dental biofilm accumulation in independent older Koreans using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 44 participants recruited from senior welfare facilities in South Korea and aged >= 65 years. Participants were surveyed using face-to-face structured interviews; manual dexterity was assessed using the Box and Blocks Test. To evaluate dental biofilm accumulation, the 528 surfaces of six index teeth were imaged using QLF-D and then quantified into Simple Plaque Scores (SPS) and Delta R-20 values. The t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze differences in SPS and Delta R-20 according to general characteristics and manual dexterity. Results: Those who brushed their teeth <= 2 times per day had higher SPS and Delta R-20 values on the lingual surface of tooth #24 than those who brushed >= 3 times per day (p < 0.05). The low manual dexterity group had higher SPS on lingual surfaces of teeth #12, #24, and #32, as well as higher Delta R-20 values on the lingual surfaces of teeth #12, #24, #32, and #44 (p < 0.05) than the normal group. Conclusions: The low manual dexterity group had more dental biofilm-particularly on the lingual surfaces of teeth-and more mature biofilm than the normal group. These findings indicate that reduced manual dexterity could be a predictor of poor oral hygiene in independent older adults without hand disabilities. Therefore, we suggest manual dexterity be assessed in advance of dental biofilm assessment and tooth brushing instruction.