Oral health comparison between the institutionalized and non institutionalized elderly.

AIM: The aim of the present epidemiological study is to gather information on the state of oral health in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients in Milan, in order to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal disease and to carry out a comparison between the 2 groups. METHODS: The study involved 364 patients (111 males, 253 females) aged between 65 and 104, subdivided into 2 groups: 1) the 1(st) group of 258 hospitalized patients; 2) the 2(nd) group consisted of 106 non-hospitalized patients. In order to carry out the examinations 5 orthodontic mirrors, traditional orthodontic O.M.S. probes, and a source of white light were utilized. The epidemiological parameters utilized, according to O.M.S. criteria, were D.M.F.T. and C.P.I.T.N. RESULTS: The results obtained by the dental examinations were registered by means of the ''Scheda di Valutazione O.M.S'' (O.M.S. Evaluation Report). Hospitalized patients D.M.F.T. 24,99, C.P.I.T.N. 1,40; non-hospitalized patients D.M.F.T. 19,82, C.P.I.T.N. 1,78. 42.3% of patients proved to be edentulous (49.6% hospitalized patients; 28.3% non-hospitalized patients). Of these, 45% wore dentures. CONCLUSION: The value of D.M.F.T. in elderly hospitalized patients was higher than in non-hospitalized patients; decay is thus prevalent in hospitalized patients. If we observe the values of C.P.I.T.N., a worrisome datum emerges: neither of the 2 groups are aware of correct oral hygiene techniques. Therefore, the clinical results derived from our study highlight the need to create a specific oral health program, directed at the elderly.