Dental outreach service to older adults attending community and day-care centres in HK

Abstract

Background: Ageing population is a global phenomenon in many industrialised countries, including Hong Kong. Satisfactory oral health in older people is important as there is strong correlation of oral status and general health. Yet, oral condition of elderly in Hong Kong has been shown unsatisfactory in Oral Health Survey 2011. Objective: The project aimed at providing oral care services to older adults in community and day care centres which have not been covered by Outreach Dental Care Programme (ODCP). Methods: Three community and day care centres were visited in the project. Oral examination and simple dental treatments were provided to 142 older adults in total. Participants then received oral hygiene instructions. Questionnaires were also used to collect information about oral health behaviour of the participants. Results: The results reflected that older people in community and day care centres have generally poor oral health status and inadequate knowledge about oral health behaviour. The mean DMFT value was 14.5 (SD=8.7), while the periodontal health was also generally poor. Only 2% of the participants examined presented with healthy periodontal condition. Furthermore, 66% of the participants did not perform inderdental cleaning and 90% did not have regular dental check-up. A total of 178 treatment items were provided during the outreach service. The treatment most frequently provided was glass ionomer restorations by means of atraumatic restoration technique. The outreach programme was well-received by the participants. A mean score of 8.6 (SD=2.0) was given to the helpfulness of the outreach service. It was shown that dental outreach can enhance the attitude, knowledge, oral hygiene practices and utilisation of dental care services by the elderly. Conclusion: The study showed there is a definite need to provide dental service to noninstitutionalized older persons in day-care and community centres that have not been covered by ODCP. Participants were satisfied with the outreach service provided and it is recommended that more similar dental outreach services can be provided in the future.