International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

9 pages, 618 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tooth Loss, Cognitive Impairment and Fall Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study of Older Adults in Rural Thailand

by Niruwan Turnbull, Pichayasuda Cherdsakul, Sutin Chanaboon, David Hughes and Kukiat Tudpor

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16015; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316015 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1940

Tooth loss is associated with both cognitive impairment and fall risk. However, the relationships between these variables are complex and bidirectional. Observed associations have been reported in separate studies but data on rural-dwelling older adults remain sparse. This cross-sectional study investigated socioeconomic and [...] Read more.

Tooth loss is associated with both cognitive impairment and fall risk. However, the relationships between these variables are complex and bidirectional. Observed associations have been reported in separate studies but data on rural-dwelling older adults remain sparse. This cross-sectional study investigated socioeconomic and dental factors affecting cognitive functions, and the association between tooth loss, cognitive functioning, and fall risk. Two hundred and thirty-one rural-dwelling older adults (60–74 years old) were recruited from a single Dental Service Unit. Cognitive function and fall risk were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Morse Fall Scale, respectively. Oral examinations were performed by a dentist using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs form. 38.1%, had >16 tooth loss. Socioeconomic data and health status were obtained from a questionnaire and interviews. Age, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, and the number of teeth lost was significantly associated with impaired cognitive function. Chi-square analysis showed that cognitive function was also associated with fall risk. Past research suggests that much cognitive impairment and fall risk is induced by tooth loss. Service planners need to be aware of the complex bidirectional relationships between these variables and give higher priority to dental services that can improve the general health status and social functioning of older rural adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

7 pages, 614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carotid Artery Calcifications on Panoramic Radiographs

by Joanna Janiszewska-Olszowska, Anna Jakubowska, Ewa Gieruszczak, Kacper Jakubowski, Piotr Wawrzyniak and Katarzyna Grocholewicz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114056 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2351

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of carotid artery calcifications (CACs) on panoramic radiographs of Polish dental patients. Methods: Panoramic radiographs made between 2005 and 2012 in 4000 patients born between 1922 and 1958 were accessed from the [...] Read more.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of carotid artery calcifications (CACs) on panoramic radiographs of Polish dental patients. Methods: Panoramic radiographs made between 2005 and 2012 in 4000 patients born between 1922 and 1958 were accessed from the server of the Department of Radiology and analyzed for the presence or absence of CACs by a group of trained dentists. Results: The anatomical area covered by the analysis was visible in 2189 images (54.73%). Calcifications in the carotid arteries were found in 468 (21.68%) patients, including 327 (14.94%) unilaterally and 141 (6.44%) bilaterally. CACs were found in 284 (60.68%) women and 184 (39.32%) men. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of CACs detected on panoramic radiographs in patients aged 54 and older was 21.68%, which makes it an important clinical problem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oral and Mucosal Complaints among Institutionalized Care Seniors in Malopolska Voivodeship—The Utility of the Mirror Sliding Test in an Assessment of Dry Mouth

by Piotr Michalak, Paulina Polak-Szlósarczyk, Wioletta Dyduch-Dudek, Barbara Kęsek, Elżbieta Zarzecka-Francica, Maria Styrna, Łukasz Czekaj and Joanna Zarzecka

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13776; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113776 - 23 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1519

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to evaluate reported oral and mucosal complaints among seniors residing in institutionalized 24-h care of the Municipal Center for Older and Dependent People (MHCOD) and the 3-month rehabilitation program of the Daily Medical Care House (DMCH). We [...] Read more.

The purpose of this article was to evaluate reported oral and mucosal complaints among seniors residing in institutionalized 24-h care of the Municipal Center for Older and Dependent People (MHCOD) and the 3-month rehabilitation program of the Daily Medical Care House (DMCH). We evaluated the feasibility of using the dental mirror slidding test to assess dry mouth of seniors. Patients underwent a questionnaire, and clinical examination. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain, Fox’s questionnaire and Challacombe’s scale with Clinical Oral Dryness Score to assess dryness of the mouth, dental mirror slidding test to assess buccal mucosal resistance. Dryness, mucosal burning, impaired taste, food intake are symptoms associated with seniors, and their frequency does not depend on the type of care. The incidence of mucosal burning (Mdn = 4.0, IQR = 4.75, p = 0.032) and difficulty in using dental prosthetics (Mdn = 3.0, IQR = 4.00, p = 0.010) increase with the length of stay at MHCOD. Seniors are at risk of side effects of polypharmacy, which cause dryness (p = 0.036), complaints of lack of saliva (p = 0.009) and taste disorders (p = 0.041. Seniors with higher levels of dry mouth are more likely to exhibit mucosal burning (p = 0.026) and difficulty in taking food (p = 0.037). The implementation of the dental mirror slidding test in the scope of the primary care of geriatric examination should be discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oral Health of Elderly People in Institutionalized Care and Three-Month Rehabilitation Programme in Southern Poland: A Case-Control Study

by Piotr Michalak, Paulina Polak-Szlósarczyk, Wioletta Dyduch-Dudek, Elżbieta Zarzecka-Francica, Maria Styrna, Łukasz Czekaj and Joanna Zarzecka

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 4994; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19094994 - 20 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2160

Abstract

Demographic ageing is a global growing process and the quality of ageing is an important parameter in this process. The aim of the study was to analyse the distribution of remaining dentition in relation to oral hygiene indicators among elderly people remaining in [...] Read more.

Demographic ageing is a global growing process and the quality of ageing is an important parameter in this process. The aim of the study was to analyse the distribution of remaining dentition in relation to oral hygiene indicators among elderly people remaining in institutional care and those who participated in a 3-month rehabilitation program, aimed at increasing time of independent functioning, in southern Poland. The patients underwent a questionnaire and clinical examination. An analysis of missing teeth was performed, plaque index, and gingival index were measured. Residents of the Municipal Health Centre for Older and Dependent People (n = 50) had a higher incidence of missing teeth in the maxilla (88.4%), mandible (77.6%), as well as in the maxilla and mandible combined (83%) than residents of the Daily Medical Care House (n = 30). The distribution of the remaining teeth, in both groups, corresponds to the outlets of the large salivary glands. The group of 53.8% of patients with dry mouth had PI scored 3. Residents with dry mouth were more likely to have plaque deposits and gingival inflammation. It is necessary to develop and implement an oral care program for patients with reduced saliva secretion, with a particular focus on dependents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Korean Dental Hygienists’ Experiences Related to the Elderly on Their Perception of Human Rights Violations of the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Kyeung-Ae Jang and Yu-Rin Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063376 - 13 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1762

Abstract

Background: Korean society has become an elderly society at an unprecedented rate, and the associated social and economic problems are very serious. Maintaining a healthy oral condition is important for older people’s well-being and quality of life, and is essential for healthy ageing. [...] Read more.

Background: Korean society has become an elderly society at an unprecedented rate, and the associated social and economic problems are very serious. Maintaining a healthy oral condition is important for older people’s well-being and quality of life, and is essential for healthy ageing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dental hygienists’ experiences related to the elderly on their perception of human rights violations toward the elderly. Methods: This study was conducted through an IRB review at Silla University in Korea (No. 1041449-202012-HR-001). For about a month after 1 February 2021, the survey questionnaire was distributed to dental hygienists living in South Korea, and 153 people who completed and sent back the questionnaires were selected as the final subjects. The items on the questionnaire consisted of perception of human rights violations for the elderly and experiences related to the elderly. A polyserial correlation analysis was performed to confirm the relevance of each factor, and a multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors of elderly-related experiences that affect the perception of human rights violations against the elderly. Results: All three experiences related to the elderly (the experience of receiving education related to the elderly, the experience of volunteer work related to the elderly, and the experience of being interested in issues related to the elderly) were highly related to the perception of violations of financial human rights of the elderly (p < 0.01). In addition, the experience of education related to the elderly showed a high perception of psychological violations of the human rights of the elderly (R = 0.405, p < 0.01), and the experience of volunteer activities related to the elderly showed a high perception of neglectful violations of human rights of the elderly (R = 0.277, p < 0.01). Conclusions: In this study, it was confirmed that there is a relationship between dental hygienists’ experiences related to the elderly and their perception of human rights violations in the elderly. Therefore, dental hygienists should do their best to manage the elderly’s oral health by raising awareness of the human rights violations against the elderly through the elderly professional course based on their experience with the elderly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2530 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oral Mucosa Status and Saliva Parameters of Multimorbid Adult Patients Diagnosed with End-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease

by Agata Trzcionka, Henryk Twardawa, Katarzyna Mocny-Pachońska, Rafał Korkosz and Marta Tanasiewicz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12515; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312515 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2042

Abstract

There has been an increasing number of patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. Many of those diseases determine changes in patients’ social and even professional life. The aim of the present work was to analyze saliva and oral mucosa parameters in adult patients diagnosed [...] Read more.

There has been an increasing number of patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. Many of those diseases determine changes in patients’ social and even professional life. The aim of the present work was to analyze saliva and oral mucosa parameters in adult patients diagnosed with chronic diseases. A total of 228 patients took part in the research. A total of 180 patients were hemodialyzed in Diaverum dialysis stations, and there were 48 patients from the Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics Clinic of the Academic Centre of Dentistry of Silesian Medical University in Bytom and patients from the dentistry division of the Arnika Clinic in Zabrze not diagnosed with any such diseases. Selected saliva parameters (secretion, pH and buffer capacity) and mucosa status were examined. In order to obtain information regarding xerostomia, patients were given a questionnaire. Patients assigned to the control group rarely used water to make swallowing easier or used candies to lessen the feeling of oral cavity dryness. They also rarely suffered from eye dryness. The feeling of dryness also did not influence their social life. The amount of produced saliva was higher in the control group. There was a significantly lower percentage of patients with a low buffer capacity of saliva. There were no differences in terms of saliva pH values between the two groups of patients. A significantly lower number of patients were diagnosed with ecchymosis, candidiasis, scrotal tongue and mechanical damages. Patients diagnosed with chronic diseases need to be provided with long-term care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Severity of Dementia Is Associated with Increased Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area: Home Visit Survey of People with Cognitive Decline Living in the Community

by Ayako Edahiro, Tsuyoshi Okamura, Yoshiko Motohashi, Chika Takahashi, Ayami Meguro, Mika Sugiyama, Fumiko Miyamae, Tsutomu Taga, Chiaki Ura, Riko Nakayama, Mari Yamashita and Shuichi Awata

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211961 - 14 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3269

Abstract

No studies have measured the periodontal inflamed surface area in people with dementia, although periodontal disease is a major health issue in this group. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dementia severity and periodontal inflamed surface area. An interdisciplinary team, including [...] Read more.

No studies have measured the periodontal inflamed surface area in people with dementia, although periodontal disease is a major health issue in this group. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dementia severity and periodontal inflamed surface area. An interdisciplinary team, including a dentist and psychiatrist, conducted an in-home survey of older people living in the community. This cross-sectional study was designed as part of a larger cohort study. The interdisciplinary team visited 198 individuals with cognitive decline. We surveyed the clinical dementia rating, periodontal inflamed surface area, number of teeth, and other health issues. We used multiple linear regression analysis to assess the 75 people who were able to take part in all the visits. Number of teeth (Beta = 0.479, p < 0.001), clinical dementia rating (Beta = 0.258, p = 0.013), and age (Beta = 0.250, p = 0.017) were independently associated with periodontal inflamed surface area after adjusting for biological sex, depression, diabetes, collagen disease, visual disorder, and osteoporosis medication. To make communities more dementia-friendly, we must protect older people with dementia from developing poor oral health, which may require home visits for dental assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fractures of the Craniofacial Skeleton in the Elderly: Retrospective Studies

by Piotr Michalak, Grażyna Wyszyńska-Pawelec, Mariusz Szuta, Justyna Hajto-Bryk, Jan Zapała and Joanna Katarzyna Zarzecka

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111219 - 26 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2079

Abstract

The aim of the retrospective analysis of the medical documentation of 101 patients was to assess the incidence, etiology, and type of craniofacial fractures in the elderly population of southern Poland, who required specialist treatment at the Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery Jagiellonian University, [...] Read more.

The aim of the retrospective analysis of the medical documentation of 101 patients was to assess the incidence, etiology, and type of craniofacial fractures in the elderly population of southern Poland, who required specialist treatment at the Department of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, in the period 2010–2019. Patients were divided into 3 age groups: 65–74, 75–84, and 85 and older. The following was noted: age, sex, place of residence, education, cause and location of fracture, treatment, injuries and comorbidities, complications, alcohol and other drugs at the time of injury, and the period of hospitalization. The dominant group were patients aged 65–74 (72.28%), mainly males (56.44%). The main cause was fall (47.52%). The fractures involved mainly the mandible and the zygomaticomaxillary complex. Over half of patients (50.50%) lived in the countryside or small towns. Work tool-related accidents prevailed among geriatric patients living in small towns and rural areas. Craniofacial fractures were additionally accompanied by common complications regarding the organ of vision. Further studies analyzing factors leading to increased risk of craniofacial injuries in the elderly of the rural population will enable proper support programs, prophylaxis, and principles concerning agricultural activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

10 pages, 1524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Hardness of Soft Relining Materials for Removable Dentures

by Ewa Białożyt-Bujak, Magdalena Wyszyńska, Grzegorz Chladek, Aleksandra Czelakowska, Andrzej Gala, Magdalena Orczykowska, Agata Białożyt, Jacek Kasperski and Małgorzata Skucha-Nowak

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9491; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189491 - 8 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3014

Abstract

The main functional feature of elastomeric soft linings materials is the ability to discharge loads in the tissues of the mucosa. As a result, there are fewer injuries to the mucosa and chewing ability increases. In addition, these prostheses are more comfortable in [...] Read more.

The main functional feature of elastomeric soft linings materials is the ability to discharge loads in the tissues of the mucosa. As a result, there are fewer injuries to the mucosa and chewing ability increases. In addition, these prostheses are more comfortable in the patient’s opinion. To obtain the equal distribution of forces on the muco-bone basis and to reduce the traumatizing effect of the denture plate for patients using full dentures, soft lining materials can be used. Aim of the study: the aim of the work was a comparative laboratory study of ten materials used for soft lining of acrylic complete dentures. Methodology: Materials based on acrylates (Vertex Soft, Villacryl Soft, Flexacryl Soft) and on silicones (Sofreliner Tough Medium, Sofreliner Tough Medium, Ufi Gel SC, GC Reline Soft, Elite Soft Relining, Molloplast) were compared. Laboratory tests include tests of changes in Shore’a A hardness of soft lining material. The tests were conducted taking into account 90 day term aging in the distilled water environment based on the methodology presented in the European Standard ISO 10139-2. Results: For most silicone materials, only small changes in hardness were found in the range of 0.7 (Ufi Gel SC) to 3.3 (Sofreliner Tough Medium) on the Shore A scale. The exception was GC Reline Soft, for which a marked increase in hardness was noted. All materials based on acrylates were characterized by successive increase in hardness over time. However, in the case of the Vertex Soft material, the increase in hardness was relatively small (5.5 ShA). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health in the Elderly)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Oral Health in the Elderly

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI