2016 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 141-147
The number of geriatric health service facilities has been increasing in recent years. Their managers need to know how dental care can contribute to their clientsʼ health. In this study, a survey of clients of a geriatric health service facility that has continuously provided oral health care for 10 years was conducted. The following results were obtained. First, there was no significant difference in history of aspiration pneumonia in relation to occlusal status or the presence of remaining teeth. Then, there were statistically significant relationships between history of aspiration pneumonia and care level, cognitive function, and food texture. Finally, use of a gastrostomy tube and use of a nasotracheal tube were related to care level and food texture. These results confirmed that there was no significant difference in history of aspiration pneumonia between clients with and without teeth related to adequate provision of oral health care at the facility. The results also suggest that a broad approach to oral health care（i.e., one that includes dental care and swallowing rehabilitation）prevents progression of dementia and escalation to a higher care level while improving activities of daily living by indirectly preventing aspiration pneumonia and the need for feeding measures such as a gastrostomy tube. It also appears that dental treatment and particularly wearing dentures to maintain occlusal function and enable continuation of a normal diet is another way to help prevent escalation to a higher care level.
