[The oral health of frail home-dwelling elderly in the general practice]. / De mondgezondheid van kwetsbare thuiswonende ouderen die de huisarts bezoeken.

ABSTRACT

The number of frail home-dwelling elderly is increasing, and they are likely to retain their own dentition longer when ageing. With increasing age, the number of dental visits declines, while the number of visits to the general practitioners' (GP) clinics increases. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and dental visits of frail home-dwelling elderly that visit their GP. The study consisted of questionnaires and an oral examination. Subjective and objective oral health was determined by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index-NL and the Oral Health Assessment Tool. Almost half of the frail elderly had not visited the dentist for over 2 years and a quarter had objective oral health problems. The educational level and the dental status were of influence on the dental visits and on their oral health. In about a third of the subjects, a subjective oral health problem was observed, which was influenced by the extent of the subject's frailty. A multidisciplinary approach can improve the oral health status of frail home-dwelling elderly.