Evaluation of a Japanese "Prevention of Long-term Care" project for the improvement in oral function in the high-risk elderly

• Published in: Geriatrics & gerontology international Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 451 - 457
• Main Authors: Sakayori, Takaharu, Maki, Yoshinobu, Hirata, SoIchiro, Okada, Mahito, Ishii, Takuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.04.2013; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Age; Aged; Bacterial Load; Candida; Candida - isolation & purification; Colony Count, Microbial; community support project; Deglutition - physiology; Dentures; DMF Index; Female; Health Education, Dental; Health Promotion; high-risk elderly; Humans; improvement in oral function; Intervention; Japan; Lactobacillus - isolation & purification; Male; Motor Skills - physiology; Mouth; Mouth - physiology; Movement; Older people; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene; Periodontal Index; Phonetics; prevention of long-term care; Program Evaluation; Saliva - microbiology; Saliva - secretion; Secretory Rate - physiology; Speech - physiology; Streptococcus mutans - isolation & purification; Tongue - pathology; Toothbrushing; Japan
• ISSN: 1444-1586; 1447-0594
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2012.00930.x

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to analyze the improvement in oral function and environment in high‐risk elderly persons participating in a program to improve oral function organized by their local government. Methods:  Participants comprised 36 high‐risk elderly and the mean age was 77.11 ± 7.24 years. The program involved training sessions carried out five or six times every 2–3 weeks for 3 months. Oral function and environment was evaluated before and after the program. The research period extended from 2008 to 2010. Results:  The effects of intervention were clearly observed in oral diadochokinesis score in the high‐risk elderly. Persons with a lower repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST) and oral diadochokinesis score before intervention showed a tendency toward even greater improvement. No significant changes were observed in saliva secretion or total amounts of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli, Candida or total microorganisms. Conclusions:  The effects of intervention were clearly recognized in regards to oral diadochokinesis. Improvement in RSST and oral diadochokinesis scores was marked in those persons showing a lower number of articulations before intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 451–457.