Relationship between oral condition and comprehensive geriatric assessment

Abstract

This study was a retrospective study on 545 patients who referred for professional oral health care (POHC) to a dentist and dental hygienist by surgeon or physician. The relationship between comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and oral condition on their admission was examined. The oral condition was evaluated by scores of Oral Assessment Guide by Eilers and Berger. The patients with 13 points or more were grouped in severe oral dysfunction. In the groups of cancer chemotherapy and a few outing weekly before this hospitalization, oral dysfunction was severe with significant differences (P ＜ 0.05). In the group of cancer chemotherapy, forgetfulness patients had severe oral dysfunction with significant differences (P ＜ 0.05). In the preoperative patients, a few outing weekly was a factor showed severe oral dysfunction without significant differences. It has been showed that POHC prior to surgery and cancer chemotherapy decrease the risk of complications caused by oral dysfunction. For patients with factors of CGA related severe oral dysfunction, especially in the groups of cancer chemotherapy and a few outing weekly, early POHC for the prevention of complications should be considered.