Oral hygiene and periodontal disease in Victorian nursing homes

Abstract

Objective: To investigate oral hygiene and periodontal disease in residents of Victoria nursing homes. Background: The Australian population is ageing with a growing proportion of elderly Australians living in nursing homes. With declining edentulism rates, periodontal disease is becoming more prevalent in this population. Materials and methods: A total of 275 dentate residents from 31 Victorian nursing homes had a questionnaire and clinical examination using the Visual Plaque Index and a modified Community Periodontal Index. Results: Self-reported oral hygiene habits of residents were poor, with less than one-third of residents cleaning their teeth twice daily or more. Periodontal health wa..