Comparison of Oral Assessment Results Between Non-Oral and Oral Feeding Patients: A Preliminary Study.

ABSTRACT

In the current study, evaluation and comparison of oral status was performed to confirm the necessity of oral care for non-oral feeding patients. The study involved patients consulting an attending physician in one hospital's Department of Dentistry for oral care. Based on the feeding method, participants were divided into two groups (a) non-oral (n = 66) and (b) oral (n = 66) feeding. Characteristics and Oral Assessment Guide scores were compared between groups. The non-oral feeding group had significantly worse scores than the oral feeding group. The non-oral feeding group also showed significantly lower voice-, swallowing-, saliva-, and tongue-related scores. The poor oral status of non-oral feeding patients was clarified. The results suggest the importance of oral care for non-oral feeding patients. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43(4), 23-28.].