Developing pathways for oral care in elders: evidence-based interventions for dental caries prevention in dentate elders

Evaluation of oral care using MA-T gel for high-risk patients: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Oral care with gel is a common method for preventing aspiration in high-risk patients. An oral care gel is used to clean and moisturize the oral cavity. However, the effects of gel care on the oral bacteria remain unclear. In this pilot study, we described a matching transformation system (MA-T) for elderly high-risk patients. MA-T is an on-demand aqueous chlorine dioxide solution that provides excellent safety and has various antimicrobial activities, even in the presence of abundant organic compounds. This study investigated the effects of MA-T gel in patients requiring nursing care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who were hospitalized for nursing care were included in this study. No drugs and foods were administered orally. Oral bacteria and intraoral humidity were examined by daily care using MA-T gel. Moreover, oral membranous substances were analyzed and material from the oral cavity was cultured on selective media for identifying opportunistic organisms.

RESULTS

Membranous substances were present in the oral cavities of all patients. The number of bacteria decreased, and oral moisture improved, after treatment with MA-T gel. Moreover, oral humidity was also controlled with the continued use of MA-T gel. MA-T gels should be used not only for professional care but also on a daily basis for better oral care. Furthermore, the results of bacterial cultures showed that MA-T controls the propagation of opportunistic bacterial infections.

CONCLUSION

Membranous substances may be observed in the oral cavity of individuals requiring nursing care for tube feeding. The results of this pilot study suggest that MA-T, a novel disinfectant, can be used for oral care in the elderly to reduce the risk of aspiration-pneumonia.

[Use of fluorides for caries prevention]

Seit wenigen Jahrzehnten ist in Deutschland ein Rückgang der Karieslast in allen Altersgruppen feststellbar. Hierfür wird die regelmäßige Anwendung von Fluoridpräparaten als wesentliche Ursache beschrieben. Es gilt als gesichert, dass für den Rückgang der Kariesprävalenz und Karieserfahrung die lokale Fluoridapplikation, insbesondere durch fluoridhaltige Zahnpasten und Fluoridlacke, auf die Zahnoberflächen in der Mundhöhle verantwortlich ist. Für die klinische Gesamtwirkung wurden einzelne Wirkungsmechanismen wie die Bildung einer Fluoridspeicherschicht, die Remineralisation sowie Effekte auf die bakterielle Plaque bestimmt. Diese Einzeleffekte können an Schmelz und Wurzeldentin bei Patienten jeden Alters wirksam werden. Dabei besteht eine Dosis-Wirkungs-Beziehung zwischen der Fluoridkonzentration in den angewendeten Präparaten und der durchschnittlich erzielten Kariesreduktion.

Es bestehen keine allgemeintoxikologischen Bedenken gegenüber der lokalen Fluoridanwendung. Fluoridzahnpasten sollen ab Durchbruch des ersten Milchzahns verwendet werden. Die Menge der verwendeten Zahnpasta ist auf die empfohlenen Volumina zu begrenzen, um die Entstehung von Schmelzfluorosen zu vermeiden. Die professionell durchgeführte Applikation von hochkonzentrierten Fluoridlacken weist neben einer hohen karieshemmenden Effektivität auch bei erhöhtem Kariesrisiko und bei bereits vorhandenen Demineralisationen besondere Vorteile auf. Dies trifft auch für die Anwendung am Wurzeldentin zu, wo durch Verwendung hochkonzentrierter Fluoridpräparate signifikante primär- und sekundärpräventive Effekte nachgewiesen wurden.

Dental Caries Preventive Considerations: Awareness of Undergraduate Dental Students

The aim of this study was to assess awareness and knowledge of undergraduate dental students of common caries-related preventive considerations and to highlight these factors in a concise manner to act as a guide for dental practitioners. A sample of 118 undergraduate students at a local government dental school was included. An interactive survey that contains questions related to common preventive strategies against dental caries was presented to the students. The survey contained 22 questions concerning dietary and therapeutic strategies. Students casted their votes using their mobile cellphones. The correct answer for each question was shown to the students, and further discussion was held. Data was collected, and the statistical analysis was conducted using one-sample z- and chi-squared tests at 0.05 significance level. The students answered the questions related to oral hygiene practices, xylitol, and the common knowledge regarding fluoride. The questions related to the use of chlorhexidine, dietary factors, and fluoride formulations were answered mostly incorrectly. The students seemed to grasp details of important concepts of flossing, brushing, reducing frequency of sugar exposure, and the use of fluoride products. Still, more emphasis should be given to increase students’ awareness of dietary guidelines for caries prevention, since adequate knowledge of these modalities is paramount for graduating dentists.

The Geriatric Syndrome and Oral Health: Navigating Oral Disease Treatment Strategies in the Elderly

Poor oral health in the geriatric population is being framed as a potentially new geriatric syndrome; an oral and maxillofacial geriatric syndrome. As such, the treatment of oral diseases will require a comprehensive approach that considers the multimorbidity of disease, and polypharmacy that is precipitated/exacerbated by oral and maxillofacial dysfunction. This is challenging because oral diseases are not 1 discrete systemic illness but a combination of many with common causes. This article presents a roadmap approach to evaluate symptoms and apply therapeutic strategies for 5 common oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions seen in the elderly.

The impact of a preventive and curative oral healthcare program on the prevalence and incidence of oral health problems in nursing home residents

AIMS

To assess the impact of an oral healthcare program in nursing homes on the initial treatment backlog and residents' oral health stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study is a longitudinal cohort study in nursing home residents in Flanders, Belgium, to evaluate the oral healthcare programme Gerodent. The program consisted of: (1) the introduction of an oral healthcare team, (2) oral health education, (3) the implementation of oral health guidelines and protocols, and (4) regular visits of a mobile dental team. Data were extracted from the oral health records of 381 residents from 21 nursing homes who received treatments from the mobile dental team between October 2010 and March 2014 (mean follow-up period of 22.5 months). Oral health and treatment need between baseline and follow-up were compared.

RESULTS

The mean age at baseline was 82.4 years and the mean number of consultations per resident was 3.61 during the follow-up period. The proportion of residents with an oral treatment need was reduced from 65.9% to 31.3%. Among residents with natural teeth, there was significantly lower prevalence of caries (from 70.5% at baseline to 36.5% at follow-up; p<0.001), residual roots (from 54.2% to 25.1%; p<0.001), and need for fillings (from 31.9% to 17.1%; p<0.001) or extractions (from 64.3% to 31.6%; p<0.001). In the group with partial or full dentures (n = 223), 38.1% needed a repair, rebasing or renewal of their existing dentures at baseline and the respective figure at follow-up was 9.0% (p<0.001). In terms of oral health stability, 53% of the residents had no incident restorative and prosthetic treatment need throughout the follow-up period. A lower number of natural teeth at baseline (p<0.001) and a shorter follow-up period (p = 0.002) were associated with higher chances of oral health stability.

CONCLUSION

The oral healthcare program Gerodent significantly reduced the treatment backlog and contributed to a considerable proportion of residents being stable in terms of oral health without any incident treatment needs.

Oral Hygiene in the Elderly with Different Degrees of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

The control of bacterial dental plaque through daily oral hygiene is essential to prevent oral diseases such as caries or periodontal disease, especially in at-risk populations, including the elderly with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The aim of this study was to determine the association between different levels of cognitive impairment and dementia in an elderly population and their capacity to maintain adequate oral hygiene. A case-control study (elderly with versus without mild cognitive impairment or dementia) was performed in Granada, Spain. Outcome variables were tooth/prosthesis-brushing frequency/day, bacterial plaque index, and gingival bleeding index. Statistical models were adjusted by age, sex, educational level, and tobacco and alcohol habits. The study included 240 cases and 324 controls. The final model, adjusted by age, sex, educational level, and tobacco and alcohol consumption, showed a significant association between degree of cognitive impairment and daily oral hygiene, accumulation of bacterial plaque, and gingival bleeding. In summary, deficient daily oral hygiene, evidenced by greater bacterial dental plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, is independently associated with cognitive impairment, even at its earliest stage.