Oral Health of Residents in Aged Care Facilities in Melbourne

Objectives: To investigate the oral health status and treatment needs of residents of aged care facilities in Melbourne. Methods: Residential aged care facilities were approached to participate in the project, and consent was obtained from residents or guardians. A dental examination was conducted using a mirror, sickle probe, periodontal probe and head-lamp. Results: Residents of aged care facilities had generally poor levels of oral health, with high levels of dental caries and moderate-severe levels of periodontal disease. Edentulism was not a common finding, with less than one third of residents fully edentulous. Of those with natural teeth, nearly half had at least one carious tooth. Treatment needs were high, with two thirds of residents requiring periodontal treatment, and more than half requiring other dental treatment, including restorations, extractions and denture related treatment. Conclusions: Oral health of residents in aged care facilities was poor and treatment needs were high, particularly with regard to periodontal and preventive treatment. However, there did not appear to be a high demand for dental care from the residents. Barriers exist to accessing dental care for these residents, and innovative solutions need to be explored to improve access to care. This project was funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services.