• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.278-289
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate whether there were differences among three oral care protocols on participants' oral health status (oral status, dry mouth, halitosis, saliva pH, microorganism growth in oral cavity) and tooth stain. The three protocols were: 1) oral solution of 4% normal saline, 2) 0.1% Chlorhexidine and 3) Tantum. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was utilized. A total of 55 elderly patients residing at long-term care facilities(19 in the 4% normal saline group, 17 in the 0.1% Chlorhexidine group, 19 in the Tantum group) received oral care daily for four weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 22.0 program. Results: The halitosis (${\chi}^2=10.71$, p=.005) and saliva pH (${\chi}^2=6.84$, p=.033) scores were significantly improved after the oral care with 4% normal saline. Conclusion: These findings indicate that if elderly patients in long-term care facilities have complaint of the discomfort of using Chlorhexidine or Tantum, 4% normal saline is as effective at the other two. This can also be cost effective as there were no differences among the protocols in oral status, dry mouth, tooth stain or microorganism growth in oral cavity.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effect of oral care with an aroma solution on oral status and oral cavity microorganism growth in elderly patients with stroke. Methods: A non-equivalent control group, with a pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The participants were assigned to the experimental group (n=30) that received oral care with an aroma solution or the control group (n=31) that received 0.9% saline solution. To identify the effect of the experimental treatments, objective/subjective assessments of oral status and oral cavity microorganism growth were performed using the oral assessment guide, oral perception guide, and oral swab culture. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test with the SPSS version 21.0 program. Results: The objective oral status was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (t= -3.64, p<.001). There was no significant difference between the subjective oral status of the experimental group and control groups (t= -1.24, p=.109). Oral microorganism growth was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (t= -7.39, p<.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that special mouth care using an aroma solution could be an effective oral health nursing intervention for elderly patients with stroke.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.136-145
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• 2011

Oral cavity cancer accounts for approximately 3-4% of all malignancies and is a significant worldwide health problem. The Korea Central Cancer Registry estimates that there will be approximately 1500 new cases of oral cancer in Korea. Oral cancer occurs most commonly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. The majority of oral malignancies occur as squamous cell carcinomas and despite remarkable advances in treatment modalities, the 5-year survival rate has not significantly improved over the past several decades, hovering at about 50% to 60%. The unfavorable 5-year survival rate may be attributable to several factors. First, oral cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, with late stage 5-year survival rates as low as 22%. Additionally, the development of secondary primary tumors in patients with early stage disease has a major impact on survival. The early detection of oral cancer and premalignant lesions offers the promise to cure chance of oral cancer. The major diagnostics moddalities for oral cancer include oral cavity examination, supravital staining, oral cytology, and optical detection systems. But the clinical finding of oral mucosa is the most important key to confirm the oral cancer until now. The traditional clinical examination of oral cavity can be performed quickly, is without additional diagnostic expense to patients, and may be performed by health care professionals. Therefore, clinicians must be well-acquainted with clinical characteristics of oral cancer and practice routine screening for oral cancer in dental clinic to decrease the morbidity and mortality of disease.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2009

This research targeted 253 dental hygienists who are working in parts of the South Gyeongnam Province to identify their Degree of Recognition on the Elderly Long-term Care Insurance System executed on July 1,2008 according to their awareness. The following conclusions were obtained. 1. Experience in managing elderly patients' oral cavity and specialized education on the elderly patients while studying dental hygiene (department) manifested statically significant difference with the appropriate age of the Long-term care worker(p<0.01, p<0.05). Moreover, there was significant difference in the level of understanding on the Elderly Long-term Care Insurance System depending on the experience of volunteering and on whether they got specialized education on the elderly patients while working(p<0.01). 2. There was significant difference in the awareness of the Elderly Long-term Care Insurance System following interest in the health of the elderly patients' oral cavity(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001).

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.411-416
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity of Alzheimer's dementia patients and recognize the necessity and importance of oral prevention management. Methods: The participants comprised 40 dementia patients aged 60 years or older and general patients who were using nursing care facilities in Gwangju from February to July 2017. Samples were collected with Eazyperio products for oral pathogenic microbial testing. Eighteen types of bacteria could be detected by analyzing Multiplex-Quantity Real Time polymerase chain reaction at a genetic testing agency. Results: The study comprised more women than men. Most participants were in their 80s. Statistically significant differences were observed in some oral pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions: Pathogenic microorganisms could more easily proliferate in the oral cavities of Alzheimer's dementia patients than they could among general elderly participants due to a lack of awareness of oral hygiene and prevention management. To improve this, it is considered necessary to deploy oral health care professionals.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.128-148
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• 2023

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes the loss of thinking, memory, attention, logical reasoning, and other mental abilities to the extent that it interferes with the activities of daily living. More than 50 million individuals worldwide live with dementia, which is expected to increase to 131 million by 2050. Recent research has shown that poor oral health increases the risk of dementia, while oral health declines with cognitive decline. In this narrative review, the literature was based on the "hypothesis" that dementia and oral health have a close relationship, and appropriate oral health and occlusal rehabilitation treatment can improve the quality of life of patients with dementia and prevent progression. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the search terms "dementia," "major neurocognitive disorder," "dentition," "occlusion," "tooth loss," "dental prosthesis," "dental implant," and "occlusal rehabilitation" in the title field over the past 30 years. A total of 131 studies that scientifically addressed dementia, oral health, and/or oral rehabilitation were included. In a meta-analysis, the random effect model demonstrated significant tooth loss increasing the dementia risk 3.64-fold (pooled odds ratio=3.64, 95% confidence interval [2.50~5.32], P-value=0.0348). Tooth loss can be an important indicator of cognitive function decline. As the number of missing teeth increases, the risk of dementia increases. Loss of teeth can lead to a decrease in the ascending information to the brain and reduced masticatory ability, cerebral blood flow, and psychological atrophy. Oral microbiome dysbiosis and migration of key bacterial species to the brain can also cause dementia. Additionally, inflammation in the oral cavity affects the inflammatory response of the brain and the complete body. Conversely, proper oral hygiene management, the placement of dental implants or prostheses to replace lost teeth, and the restoration of masticatory function can inhibit symptom progression in patients with dementia. Therefore, improving oral health can prevent dementia progression and improve the quality of life of patients.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.167-177
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• 2013

This study was to evaluate the influences of swallowing function on quality of life and activity of daily living of inpatients in geriatric hospital. The subjects were consisted of elderly patients over the age of 65, 50 people in geriatric hospital of gwangju and jeonnam area. The results are as follows: First, swallowing function score of the subjects is $29.90{\pm}5.27$, SWAL-QOL score is $158.12{\pm}33.36$, ADL score is $80.40{\pm}22.91$. Second, swallowing function, SWAL-QOL details and ADL details of each other showed a statistically significant correlation. Third, the items of swallowing function affecting on quality of life are 'oral cavity in residue', 'to eat solid food', and 'phlegm obstructs the throat'. In conclusion, this study showed that swallowing function of inpatients in geriatric hospital is closely associated with the quality of life and the activity of daily living. Therefore, future development of programs for the improvement of swallowing function is required in order to improve the quality of life of inpatients in geriatric hospital.