This study investigated the changes of general and oral health status of elderly patients who received home-visit dental services. The subjects were 51 patients (male : 19, female : 32, age : 83.0±9.1) . The results of initial and re-examination (5.4 months later) by questionnaire survey, oral status and oral microbes were compared.
The following results were obtained.
1. More than half of the subjects were bedridden and about 70% were affected by dementia. Three quarters needed special care for daily activities.
2 . The general health condition of the subjects became worse after 5.4 months. Moreover, 11 subjects died within 6 months after re-examination. However, oral health status, such as status of oral hygiene (p < 0.01), inflammation of gingiva (p < 0.01), tongue coating (p < 0.05) and oral malodor (p < 0.01) improved significantly.
3 . There was a significant difference in the rate of people with dysphagic problems between the living and dead groups (p<0.05) .
4 . The initial general and oral health status of the people with dysphagic problems was significantly worse than that of those without it. After receiving home-visit dental services, general condition became worse. However oral status, such as status of oral hygiene, inflammation of gingiva, oral malodor, and lactobacillus count significantly improved in both groups.
These results suggest that dysphagic problems of elderly patients may affect their general health condition and might increase the risk of death. It is recommended to judge dysphagic problems accurately when performing certification of need for long-term care and to provide professional oral care periodically for the dependent elderly needing care.