Oral health status in individuals with dementia living in special facilities

AIM: The aim of this review was to retrieve data describing the oral health status of individuals with dementia living in special facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search on the MEDLINE database (Entrez PubMed) was performed. The literature search yielded 208 papers, of which seven publications were selected for evaluation. Results: From the available studies poorer oral hygiene, decreased saliva flow rates and a higher caries incidence were reported in individuals with dementia living in special facilities when compared with healthy individuals. Oral health problems were more pronounced in the severe stage of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited scientific data describing the oral health status of individuals with dementia living in special facilities. However, available data indicate that individuals with dementia living in special facilities have more oral health problems than individuals without dementia.