Abstract
This study was performed as the preliminary investigation for the dental care service center for homebound elderly in Chiba-city which is planned to start in 1993.
General care and oral health status of the selected homebound eldery (n=50, aged 54-93, mean age=78.5, 66% female) living in Chiba-city were assesed, The subjects were selected from the elderly receiving home services from a public health center.
Interviews and oral examinations were performed by a team consisting of a dentist, a health nurse and a dental hygienist.
Data analysis was performed using the statistical package SAS.
Major medical problems for the homebound were cerebral hemorrhage (30%) and cerebral embolus (18%).
Most of subjects (67%) had not received dental care for more than five years.
The Major oral problem was difficulty in Chewing, and 52% of denturers were bound to be needing adjustment or replacement.
The Subjects had a mean of 6.9 teeth/person with 42% edentulous.
While over 40% of the participants wanted dental treatment, 32% of subjects who did not want treatment reported lack of assistance and/or transportation for the dental visit as their reason.
According to the oral examination 79% of subjects needing treatment were indicated to receive dental treatment withot adimission.
These findings indicate that dental care service center and organized transportation systems are essential for the dental treatment of the homebound elderly.
