Dietary and fluid intakes of older adults in care homes requiring a texture modified diet: the role of snacks.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare energy, protein, non-starch polysaccharide, and fluid intakes of a care home population consuming a texture modified diet (TMD) with those on a standard diet and also to evaluate the role of snacks in individuals' diets. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Care homes. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty residents (n = 15 requiring standard diet: n = 15 requiring TMD). MEASUREMENTS: Dietary intakes were assessed using a 3-day weighed plate-wastage method. All snacks and drinks consumed were observed and recorded. Weights of standard portions and volumes were used to determine actual amounts consumed of these items. Estimated intakes were converted to energy and nutrient intakes using WinDiets Dietary analysis software. RESULTS: Residents on a TMD had significantly lower intakes of energy (1312 [326] kcal versus 1569 [260] kcal, P < .024), non-starch polysaccharide (6.3 [1.7] g versus 8.3 [2.7] g, P < .02) and fluid (1196 [288] mL versus 1611 [362] mL, P < .002) when compared with residents on a standard texture diet. Snacks provided significantly less energy (13% or 173 kcal versus 22% or 343 kcal, P = .001) and non-starch polysaccharide (P < .001) in those requiring the TMD. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary and fluid intakes of older adults in care homes requiring a TMD are significantly less than individuals on a standard texture diet. These are unlikely to be meeting individuals' dietary and nutritional needs. Strategies that maximize provision of appetizing energy and nutrient-dense foods (including snacks) and fluids of suitable textures require further investigation.

Clinical evaluation of Solitaire-2 restorations placed in United Kingdom general dental practices: 1-year report.

OBJECTIVE: Packable composites are a comparatively recent addition to the dentist's armamentarium, Solitaire-2 being an example of this type of material. This paper reports the performance of 100 restorations formed in Solitaire-2 in conjunction with the Gluma Solid Bond system and Gluma One Bond bonding systems, in Class I and II cavity restorations in permanent teeth, placed in the practices of five members of the Product Research and Evaluation by Practitioners (PREP) Panel, a group of United Kingdom-based dental practitioners who are prepared to undertake research projects in their practices. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Five members of the PREP Panel were each requested to place 20 Solitaire-2 restorations. These restorations were reviewed at 1 year by a trained and calibrated evaluator, and the PREP panel member who had placed the restorations. RESULTS: A total of 88 restorations (33 Class I, 55 Class II) in 49 patients (mean age 43 years) were reviewed at 1 year. One Class II restoration (a large mesio-occlusodistal restoration) had been replaced at 10 months after a fracture was detected across the distal box. The remaining 87 (99%) of the restorations were intact with no secondary caries detected. CONCLUSION: Ninety-nine percent of the Solitaire-2 restorations, placed in general dental practice conditions in conjunction with the Gluma Solid Bond system and Gluma One Bond bonding systems, were found to be performing satisfactorily at 1 year.