Oral health of older residents in care and community dwellers: nursing implications

Abstract

Background Poor oral health is associated with a reduced quality of life and serious illnesses. Consequently, nurses need to be more aware of oral health to improve the general health of residents in care.

Aim To evaluate and compare oral health behaviours and levels of salivary haemoglobin and dental biofilm acidogenicity, which can be used to evaluate oral disease activity, between residents and community dwellers in South Korea.

Methods This cross-sectional study included 133 participants: 64 residents and 69 community dwellers. All participants completed a questionnaire and tests to measure their salivary haemoglobin and dental biofilm acidogenicity.

Results A higher percentage of community dwellers than of residents brushed their teeth three times a day, cleaned their tongue, used interdental cleaning devices and had visited a dental clinic within 1 year. The levels of salivary haemoglobin and dental biofilm acidogenicity tended to be higher in residents than in community dwellers.

Conclusion Residents showed poorer oral health behaviours and higher levels of gingival bleeding and acid production by oral bacteria than did community dwellers.

Implications for nursing practice Nursing staff should enhance their monitoring of oral hygiene status and provide quality oral care to residents through cooperation with dental professionals.

Implications for nursing and health policy Policymakers should be aware that oral health is an essential component of improving general health and well-being and therefore strive to develop policies to promote oral care services provided to residents. Nursing policies, such as mandating oral care and hands-on training in oral care for nursing staff, are important. We also suggest that factors related to oral care be added to the establishment or accreditation standards of care facilities.