• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.237-246
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• 2011

Purpose: This study investigates dental health and chewing ability of patients hospitalized in geriatric hospital, and compares the chewing ability for each factor that can be used as data for dental healthcare of senior citizens and basic data for denture insurance for the elderly. Methods: The 101 subjects of this study were selected from 178 patients hospitalized in a geriatric hospital located in Daegu Metropolitan City, excluding 77 patients who were being treated in the intensive care unit and who were unable to communicate. The chewing ability of the patients were measured using an evaluation scale based on foods consisting of 10 different hardnesses. Results: Patients with less than 21 teeth, those with dentures and patients who were less than satisfied with their dental conditions had difficulties in chewing hard food such as dried squid and radish kimchi, and the Chewing ability increased proportionally to the number of remaining teeth(p<0.001), appropriateness of the maxillary and mandibular dentures(p<0.005) and the level of dental satisfaction(p<0.001). Conclusion: This study is limited as the subjects were selected from a single hospital and the authors estimate that various studies will be necessary to investigate the Chewing ability of patients hospitalized in long-term hospitals. The subjects of this study did not receive any dental treatment while staying in the hospital and many of the subjects had bad fit denture or didn't have dentures or did not use dentures, although they have dentures, which calls for denture construction and prosthetics through dental treatment.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.187-195
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• 2022

Background: This retrospective study investigated the incidence rate of accidental foreign body aspiration and ingestion according to patient sex, age, and dental department. This study aimed to verify whether the incidence rate is higher in geriatric than in younger patients and whether it is different among dental departments. Methods: Accidental foreign body aspiration and ingestion cases were collected from electronic health records and the safety report system of Yonsei University Dental Hospital from January 2011 to December 2017. The collected data included patients' age, sex, medical conditions, treatment procedures, and foreign objects that were accidentally aspirated or ingested. The incidence rate was calculated as the number of accidental foreign body aspirations and ingestions relative to the total number of patient visits. Differences depending on the patients' sex, age, and dental department were statistically identified. Results: There were 2 aspiration and 37 ingestion cases during the 7-year analysis period. The male to female incidence ratio was 2.8:1. The incidence rate increased with age and increased rapidly among those aged 80 years or older. Seven of the 37 patients with accidental foreign body ingestion had intellectual disability, Lou Gehrig's disease, dystonia, or oral and maxillofacial cancer. The incidence rate was highest in the Predoctoral Student Clinic and the Department of Prosthodontics. The most frequently swallowed objects were fixed dental prostheses and dental implant components. Conclusion: The incidence rate of accidental foreign body aspiration and ingestion differed according to patient sex, age, and dental department. Dental practitioners must identify high-risk patients and apply various methods to prevent accidental foreign body aspiration and ingestion in dental clinics. Inexperienced practitioners should be particularly careful.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.569-576
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• 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior among geriatric care workers in long-term care facilities. A self-administered questionnaire was obtained from 212 geriatric care workers attending a professional education program of 2014 dementia pilot project. The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts of the training experience (2 items), knowledge (16 items), attitude (13 items), and behavior (4 items) on oral health care. Collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA using SPSS Statistics ver. 20.0. The percentage of educational experience on oral care was 27.9% and most respondents answered that they have received the education about denture cleaning (98.3%) and brushing method (91.4%). The average knowledge score was $10.88{\pm}1.70$, and respondents showed high-level agreement in 8 of the 10 items in attitude questions. They revealed difficulties in providing oral care to the elderly people because of their lack of knowledge. The deficiencies of knowledge about oral care would have a decisive effect on not only oral and general health, but also quality of life of the elderly people. Therefore, it is required to develop professional oral care training programs for geriatric care workers and support systems should be legalized.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the geriatric status, oral health, and oral health related quality of life of stroke patients hospitalized at a rehabilitatio ward and assess the relationships among these factors. A total of 78 stroke patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The following oral examinations were performed by a dentist and dental hygienist: Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth, gingival, debris, calculus, and community periodontal index (CPI). The patients' sociodemographic and geriatric status were evaluated using the Barthel index and a mini-mental state examine (MMSE) according to their medical record and a questionnaire survey. Oral health related quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire. Except for three participants, most stroke patients had a gingival index of 2 or more, which means probing results in bleeding gums. Additionally, 53.8% of participants had a CPI code of 3 or 4, which indicates a probing depth of 4 mm or more. CPI index was significantly related to debris, calculus, and gingival index. The OHIP-14 score significantly related to the Barthel index and MMSE (p<0.05). The oral health of stroke patients in the rehabilitation ward was relatively poor and related to poor oral hygiene. Oral health related quality of life was related not to oral health but to geriatric status significantly.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2012

As in all other parts in the body, oral tissue also undergoes dramatic changes with increasing age. Since these changes occasionally go beyond physiological scope, which may result in pathological changes, it is essential for dentist to understand changes caused by normal aging process. With increasing age, tooth morphology and occlusion also varies, especially loss of hard tissue, which is taking place in lifelong time, occurs as a result of tooth wear. When this loss of hard tissue is presented rapidly or excessively, functional and esthetical problems are raised, resulting in lowering quality of life of patient as well as making dental treatment for oral rehabilitation even more complex. Therefore, based on understanding of change in occlusion with increasing age, strategic approaches for maintenance of oral health in both functional and esthetic aspect are required as appropriate restoration and maintenance for progressive tooth wear enables desirable occlusal relationship. Carefully planned-restorative treatment in accordance with changed occlusal relationship is also required in the same context. Instead of taking changes in oral tissue as only a consequence of ageing, it is vital to educate patient and his or her guardian, assuring maintenance of oral hygiene and regular dental check-up are of utmost importance for improved oral health.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 2023

Xerostomia is defined as the subjective complaint of dry mouth with or without hyposalivation, which is insufficient salivary secretion from salivary gland. Xerostomia can lead to multiple oral symptoms such as dental caries, halitosis, burning mouth syndrome, and oral candidiasis, which can significantly impact the well-being of patients, especially in geriatric patients who may already have compromised health. Clinical findings of xerostomia include decreased salivary flow and alterations in salivary composition. These changes can lead to various oral health problems such as dental caries, periodontitis, swallowing and speaking difficulties, taste disturbances, halitosis, mucosal diseases, and burning mouth syndrome. Recognizing these clinical manifestations is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate management. Although several reasons and risk factors have been suggested for xerostomia such as aging, chemo-radiation therapy, systemic disease, and Sjögren's syndrome, the polypharmacy is recently highlighted especially in elderly patients. Understanding the etiology and risk factors associated with xerostomia is crucial for effective management. To manage xerostomia patients, a multidisciplinary guideline should be established beyond dental care. Through this literature review, we summarized consideration for diagnostic, therapeutic, nursing essentials for the clinical guideline. By addressing the underlying causes and implementing appropriate treatment strategies, healthcare professionals can improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from xerostomia.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting the assessment of objective and subjective masticatory ability in the elderly, and to evaluate masticatory ability assessment more accurately. Methods: A total of 112 participants were recruited after oral examination in senior citizen welfare facilities. The participants' masticatory ability was evaluated objectively (Mixing ability index; MAI), and subjectively (Key food intake ability; KFIA). Participants' general characteristics and oral health-related variables were also recorded. Based on masticatory ability assessment, participants were classified as either high or low. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver.23.0 was used for all analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Higher masticatory ability was positively correlated with higher scores on MAI and KFIA. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between MAI and KFIA. When analyzing factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessments, Functional tooth units (FTUs) were revealed as a related factor. In subjective masticatory ability assessment, oral moisture, difficulty in chewing, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were also influential factors. Conclusions: In order to accurately assess masticatory ability, it is necessary to use both objective and subjective measures. Additionally, to improve the masticatory ability in the elderly, treatment should be provided to improve overall oral health and satisfaction.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2016

Purpose: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been investigated as a novel diagnostic imaging tool. The utilisation of this equipment has been evaluated through several studies in the field of dentistry. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine through basic experiments the effectiveness of OCT in implant dentistry. Materials and Methods: To assess detection ability, we captured OCT images of implants in each of the following situations: (1) implants covered with mucosae of various thicknesses that were harvested from the mandibles of pigs; (2) implants installed in the mandibles of pigs; and (3) implants with abutments and crowns fixed with temporary cement. The OCT images were captured before cementation, after cementation, and after removing the excess submucosal cement. Results: If the thickness of the mucosa covering the implant body was less than 1 mm, the images of the implants were clearly detected by OCT. In the implants were installed in pigs' mandibles, it was difficult to capture clear images of the implant and alveolar bone in most of the samples. Remnants of excess cement around the implants were visible in most samples that had a mucosa thickness of less than 3 mm. Conclusion: Currently, OCT imaging of implants is limited. Cement remnants at the submucosal area can be detected in some cases, which can be helpful in preventing peri-implant diseases. Still, though there are some restrictions to its application, OCT could have potential as an effective diagnostic instrument in the field of implant dentistry as well.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.450-454
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• 2002

Laceration of soft palate and oropharynx is relatively common in children. Soft palate laceration has been reported patients of all ages, ranging from new born to geriatric patients. However, young children often place objects their mouth, they may fall on the object or receive a direct force on the object which then perforates the soft palate tissue. Most frequently affected site is the left supra-tonsillar area. Lesions are predominately in the soft palate with-out perforation. Linear and superficial wounds are frequent. A typical injury is the flat- U-, or V-shaped with apex directed anteriorly. In those cases without any through-and-through lacerations or any tissue loss, suture is not necessary. Furthermore, suture of the affected site may hinder wound healing. Healing of the wound should be complete by three weeks with minimal scarring. There have been reports of carotid artery injury due to soft palate laceration causing neurologic complications. For such reasons, traumatized child must be in close observation for 2-3days, and if symptoms of complication are noticed consultation with oromaxillofacial surgeons, E.N.T., or neurologist is required. These are two reports of boys 2 and 3 years of age who had soft palate laceration caused by a falling-down-in jury with an object in their mouth. They were treated non-surgically and neurologic evaluation was carried out for 1 week with complete healing.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.696-704
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• 2015

The coverage of the National Health Insurance for the elderly is expanding to denture and implants. Although the National Long-Term Care Insurance was just being settled, Oral health service was not provided to the Elderly in Long-Term Care Facilities. The long-term care facilities had part-time facility doctors. However, there is no dentist in the long-term care facility because of lack of long-term care insurance-related legislations. The amendments of long-term care insurance-related legislations for the introduction of part-time facility dentists are needed because the elderly in long-term care facility are vulnerable to oral health. For the substantial management of the National Long-Term Care Insurance, the development of oral health service model for the elderly and education materials for the dental team will be needed. Also, adequate dental service fee of the National longterm care insurance will be needed.