Work

Effect of visiting oral hygiene care for older people in a day care center: a pilot study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: To determine whether the oral health of the older people is improved by providing oral health checkups and oral health management in visiting day care centers for older people. Methods: The participants were 20 older people with long-term care Grades 3 to 5. A dentist performed an oral check-up, and a dental hygienist provided oral health education and professional toothbrushing three times per month. The dental plaque index (PI), the gingival index (GI), and the Winkel tongue coating index (TPI) were determined and compared before and after oral health education and Watanabe toothbrushing. Results: After oral health education and professional tooth brushing, the PI, the GI, and the TPI decreased significantly (p<0.05). Conclusions: Direct provision of oral health checkups, oral health education, and professional toothbrushing to older people improved their oral health and quality of life.

Source: Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene

DOI: 10.13065/jksdh.2025.25.3.6

Authors: Min-Jeong Cho, Eun-Young Park, Eun-Kyong Kim

Institutions: Kyungpook National University, Yeungnam University

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: General Dentistry

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $237