Readily Identifiable Risk Factors of Nursing Home Residents' Oral Hygiene: Dementia, Hospice, and Length of Stay.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
The poor oral hygiene of nursing home (NH) residents is a matter of increasing concern, especially because of its relationship with pneumonia and other health events. Because details and related risk factors in this area are scant and providers need to be able to easily identify those residents at most risk, this study comprehensively examined the plaque, gingival, and denture status of NH residents, as well as readily available correlates of those indicators of oral hygiene, including items from the Minimum Data Set (MDS).


DESIGN
Oral hygiene assessment and chart abstract conducted on a cross-section of NH residents.


SETTING
NHs in North Carolina (N = 14).


PARTICIPANTS
NH residents (N = 506).


MEASUREMENTS
Descriptive data from the MDS and assessments using three standardized measures: the Plaque Index for Long-Term Care (PI-LTC), the Gingival Index for Long-Term Care (GI-LTC), and the Denture Plaque Index (DPI).


RESULTS
Oral hygiene scores averaged 1.7 (of 3) for the PI-LTC, 1.5 (of 4) for the GI-LTC, and 2.2 (of 4) for the DPI. Factors most strongly associated with poor oral hygiene scores included having dementia, being on hospice care, and longer stay. MDS ratings of gingivitis differed significantly from oral hygiene assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings identify resident subgroups at especially high risk of poor oral health who can be targeted in quality improvement efforts related to oral hygiene; they also indicate need to improve the accuracy of how MDS items are completed.
['Zimmerman|Sheryl|S|', 'Austin|Sophie|S|', 'Cohen|Lauren|L|', 'Reed|David|D|', 'Poole|Patricia|P|', 'Ward|Kimberly|K|', 'Sloane|Philip D|PD|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D055113:Chronic Periodontitis D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003704:Dementia D005260:Female D015577:Geriatric Assessment D017051:Hospice Care D006801:Humans D007902:Length of Stay D008297:Male D009657:North Carolina D009735:Nursing Homes D009909:Oral Health D009910:Oral Hygiene D012307:Risk Factors
risk factors nursing homes oral hygiene Minimum Data Set long-term care mouth care