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released: 7 Apr 2005 author: AIHW media release

Dementia has become a key issue in aged care. It is estimated that 167,000 Australians had dementia in 2002, leading to dementia being a major cause of disease burden. This publication reports on an investigation of the oral health status of community-dwelling older dentate adults in Adelaide, South Australia with and without dementia. Older adults with dementia had higher levels of dental disease and their oral health deteriorated faster over a one-year follow-up period compared to those without dementia. Older adults with dementia also faced barriers to adequate dental care, identifying the need for improved strategies for the provision of regular oral assessment, oral hygiene care and dental treatment.

ISSN 1321 0254; Cat. no. DEN 111; 99pp.; Internet only

Publication

Publication table of contents

  • Contents
  • List of tables
  • Executive summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • 1 Introduction
    • Background
    • Hypotheses from study
    • Aims
  • 2 Methods-baseline and one°year data collections
    • Ethical implications of the clinical dental inspections
    • Timeline, study design, sample size and sampling
    • Measurement of variables, instruments of measurement and collection of data
    • Database maintenance and analysis of data
  • 3 Examiner reliability
  • 4 Response rates-baseline and one°year data collection
  • 5 Results-baseline data collection
    • Baseline characteristics of dementia and non-dementia participants
    • Dementia participants' characteristics and cognitive status
    • Oral diseases and conditions
    • Participants' characteristics associated with oral diseases and conditions
    • Normative, rational and perceived needs for dental care
  • 6 Results-one year data collection
    • Baseline characteristics of one-year participants and non-participants
    • One-year characteristics of dementia and non-dementia participants
    • Oral diseases incidence and increments
    • Participants' characteristics associated with coronal and root caries increments
    • Neuroleptic medication and coronal and root caries in dementia participants
    • Participants' characteristics associated with plaque accumulation
  • 7 Discussion
  • 8 Conclusions
  • 9 References

Recommended citation

AIHW Dental Statistics and Research Unit 2005. The oral health of older adults with dementia. Dental statistics and research series 29. Cat. no. DEN 111. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 13 June 2013 <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442467714>.