Oral health‐related quality of life in patients receiving home‐care nursing: associations with aspects of dental status and xerostomia

Abstract

To explore the differences in oral status, dental attendance and dry mouth problems between patients with long-term disease with high and low scores on Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP 14) and how patients cope with oral problems such as xerostomia and a reduced ability to brush their teeth. There has been a lack of studies of oral health and oral health-related quality of life in the frail elderly within the community services. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with 137 patients receiving home-care nursing. Structured interviews were conducted by student nurses using OHIP-14, items from the Xerostomia Inventory and questions concerning dental visit habits, brushing of teeth and data from medical records. Eighty-three per cent of patients had natural teeth and 60% had only natural teeth. 'Natural teeth only' indicated a low score on OHIP-14. Problems with brushing and items concerning xerostomia indicated a high score on OHIP-14. Contrasts in the assessments concerning brushing of teeth and xerostomia indicated low priority from the patients themselves and the nursing staff. Community health services should focus upon oral health. Both patients and nurses should assess the need for regular brushing of teeth carried out by home-care nurses. Assessment and treatment of dry mouth problems should have higher priority.