Abstract
A questionnaire was mailed to all 70 nursing home for the aged in Saitama Prefecture, out of which 55 nursing homes replied (78.6%). These 55 nursing homes accommodate 3396 persons in total, of which 44.8% are in ther eighties, and 71.7% are female. The ratio of female residents increases with age and it accounts for 81.8% of those in their nineties.
Among the pesronnel of the facilities, female staff mainly take care of the residents. The average number of staff is less than one person for four residents, which indicates the shortage of staff. Also, for each facility, an averge of 1.3 doctors, but only 0.1 dentist and no dental assistant are on hand.
Concerning ADL conditions of the residents such as moving, eating, and hygiene many of them find it most difficult to look after themselves, including brushing their teeth. Less than 40% can take care of themselves without any assistance.
Up to the present, requests for dental service have been met by dental clinics where dental practice for the aged is available.Residents have dental problems, especially related to false teeth: 6.7 persons per facility complain of ill fitting false teeth, and 1.4 cases per month per facility suffer from toothache. In 8 facilities, the patients had trouble with taking food due to toothache. Dental practice is undertaken only 6 facilities, thus the residents' dental health is not properly managed. Dental practice is undertaken in only 6 facilities; thus the residents' dental health is not properly managed. When the residents complain of a toothache, 61.9% of them receives dental treatment, 28.6% take pain-killing medication at ther facility and 9.5% ask a dentist to visit them.
The respondents to the survey made several suggestions with regard to improving the dental service for ther residents
They would like to have visiting dental services, they would like to have dental clinics in the neighborhood where they can regularly receive dental teatment, special dental institutins for the aged, or the arrangement of transportation to and from dental clinics.Furthermore, they request dental assistants to help them to maintain their oral hygiene conditions. Less than 10% replied that they would prefer the present situation to continue.
