Oral Health Status and Need for Oral Care in an Aging Population: A Systematic Review

Dorina Lauritano, Giulia Moreo, Fedora Della Vella, Dario Di Stasio, Francesco Carinci, Alberta Lucchese and Massimo Petruzzi
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Dorina Lauritano: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Centre of Neuroscience of Milan, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Giulia Moreo: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Centre of Neuroscience of Milan, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
Fedora Della Vella: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
Dario Di Stasio: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania-Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
Francesco Carinci: Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Alberta Lucchese: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania-Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
Massimo Petruzzi: Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-23

Abstract: Background. The world population is aging. This phenomenon is accompanied by an increase in the number of elderly with dementia, whose oral hygiene care is a challenge. Objective. This paper presents a literature review of oral health status and the need for oral care in people with dementia, as compared to people without dementia and also of the relationship between periodontal disease and cognitive impairment. Methods. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Fifty-six articles met the inclusion criteria and were consequently included for quality assessment and data extraction. Results. No significant differences were found between both groups with regard to the number of present teeth, DMFT Index, edentulousness/use of denture, and orofacial pain. Coronal/root caries and retained roots were more common in people with dementia than in those without dementia. Most of the participants with dementia presented gingival bleeding or inflammation and they suffered from the periodontal disease more than people without dementia. Conclusions. Poor oral health is a common condition among the elderly with dementia. The education process of caregivers might improve the oral health status of people with dementia. Finally, periodontal disease might contribute to the onset or progression of dementia.

Keywords: oral health; aging population; oral disease; association with periodontal disease; oral care need; oral care strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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