2007 Volume 22 Issue 3 Pages 265-279
To determine if dental treatment improved not only the oral function, but also QOL and ADL in the handicapped elderly, we performed an interventional study on the effects of dentaltreatment by comparing various parameters before and after treatment.
Twelve dental associations in Japan co-operated with this study, with participation by 144dentists.Dentists performed an initial evaluation and a follow-up evaluation after an 8-week interval. They assessed the consciousness level, orientation, totalscore of 4 FIM items, pain upon eating, masticatory function and face scale. Scores were assigned for each item. Each dentist examined 2 to 4 patients who formed a treatment group and 2 to 4 patients who formed a control group (total, 527 patients; treatment group, 272; control group, 255). The former group receivedthe necessary dental treatment whereas the control group was given no treatment.
In the treatment group, improvements in the consciousness level, orientation, total score of 4 FIM items related to ADL and the face scale indicating QOL were noted. Also, objective evaluation showed improvement in halitosis and in the amount of residual food in the oral cavity. When new partial dentures were provided, improvement was greater than that resulting from other forms of dental treatment. No variations in scores in any items were noted in the control group.
From theviewpoint of rehabilitation, a deteriorated oral state can be considered a comorbidity and/or complication of great concern. We considered that improvement in the various factors examined associated with dental treatment indicated that the correction of dental problems could lead to improvement in ADL and QOL.
