Resources for the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment based
Proactive and Personalised Primary Care of the Elderly
Oral Health
Good daily dental hygiene is necessary to maintain good oral health and quality of life in older people
Poor oral hygiene is prevalent among older people all over the world (1) and it is highly associated with (1)
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oral self-care
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behavior, habits
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socio-economic status
Most of the elderly neglect hygiene and oral care (2)
· brushing their teeth only once a day or not al all
· not flossing daily
· not cleaning their tongues
· not replacing missing teeth with dentures
· avoiding regular dental checkups
OHAT
The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT)
is a modification of the Brief Oral Health Status Examination (BOHSE). It is a tool used for screening purposes only, and does not replace the need for regular examinations by a dentist. The assessment covers the patient's current oral health status, including factors which can contribute to the risk of oral disease and indicate the need for referral.
This is one of several topics presented in the Thorny Issues sector of this toolkit
Back To : Thorny Issues