Oral Health, U.S. 2002 Annual Report
Section 7: DELIVERY OF DENTAL SERVICES
| 7.2 |
Use of the oral health care system by residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) |
Over the next 50 years, the number of U.S. residents aged 65 years and older is projected to increase by 126%, with about 4% residing in nursing homes (Strahan, 1997). A greater percentage of these individuals will have retained their teeth than in previous generations (US DHHS, 2000). Consequently, the oral health needs of LTCF residents are expected to increase substantially.
Treatment needs among residents of LTCFs are often great. One study of dentate nursing home residents found that 59% had untreated coronal decay, and 46% had untreated root decay (Hawkins, 1999). In addition, research with residents of LTCFs has indicated that excessive dental plaque, combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may actually be life-threatening (Russell et al., 1999).
It is recommended that residents of LTCFs receive periodic dental examinations and preventive care (Kambhu et al., 1998). Based on data from the 1997 National Nursing Home Survey, 19% of nursing home residents received dental care within the last 30 days (Gabrel & Jones, 2000). However, access to dental care may be reduced by serious medical conditions, lack of ability to pay for services, and anxiety on the part of residents (Gift et al., 1995).
SOURCE OF DATA
Analyses reported here are based on the Vital Health Statistics document, the National Nursing Home Survey: 1997 Summary (Gabrel & Jones. Vital Health Stat 2000;13(47)), which uses data from the 1997 National Nursing Home Survey, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Demographic differences (Table 7.2.1)
- A greater percentage of younger residents compared to older residents received dental care during the past 30 days.
- Slightly more males compared to females and black compared to white nursing home residents received dental care.
REFERENCES
Gabrel C, Jones A. The National Nursing Home Survey: 1997 Summary. National Center for Health Statistics.
Vital Health Stat 2000;13(47).
Gift HC, Cherry-Peppers G, Oldakowski RJ. Oral health status and related behaviours of U.S. nursing home residents, 1995.
Gerodontology 1994;14(2):89 015099.
Hawkins RJ. Functional status and untreated dental caries among nursing home residents aged 65 and over. SCD Special Care in Dentistry;19(4):158
015063.
Kambhu PP, Warren JJ, Hand JS, Levy SL, Cowen HJ. Dental treatment outcomes among dentate nursing facility residents: an initial study. SCD Special Care in Dentistry 1998;18(3):128–132.
Russell SL, Boylan RJ, Kaslick RS, Scannapieco FA, Katz RV. Respiratory pathogen colonization of the dental plaque of institutionalized elders. SCD Special Care in Dentistry 1999;19(3):128–134.
Strahan GW. An overview of nursing homes and their current residents: data from the 1995 National Nursing Home Survey. Advance data from Vital and Health Statistics; no. 280. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 1997.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000.
Table 7.2.1. Percentage of nursing home residents who received dental care during the last 30 days: United States, 1997
This table lists demographic characteristics (age groups, gender and race) in the first column and the percent of nursing residents in demographic group who have received dental care in the last 30 days in the second column.
|
19.0 |
| |
|
26.3 |
|
18.4 |
|
17.8 |
|
18.5 |
| |
|
21.0 |
|
18.2 |
| |
|
18.6 |
|
21.6 |
Source: Gabrel C, Jones A. The National Nursing Home Survey: 1997 Summary. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2000;13(147):1–121.
|
