Oral status, oral hygiene habits and caries risk factors in home-dwelling elderly dependent on moderate or substantial supportive care for daily living

Strömberg E, Hagman‐Gustafsson M‐L, Holmén A, Wårdh I, Gabre P. Oral status, oral hygiene habits and caries risk factors in home‐dwelling elderly dependent on moderate or substantial supportive care for daily living. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011;. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S – Objectives: Elderly people with disabilities have an increased risk of developing oral diseases as compared with the healthy elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate oral hygiene habits, clinical variables related to oral self‐care and caries risk in elderly individuals living at home with moderate and substantial needs of home care. Methods: A random sample of 151 elderly people with moderate needs and 151 with substantial needs of home care were examined. Data concerning general health, social conditions and oral hygiene habits were collected using a questionnaire. Data showing the prevalence of caries, plaque scores and gingival bleeding were obtained through clinical examinations. Results: Elderly subjects with substantial needs of home nursing had more active caries (P