A Study on the Contributing Factors that make Denture Usage Difficult for the Dependent Elderly

DOI 9 Citations 25 References
  • Hada Masaru
    Department of Removable Prosthodontics, The University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry
  • Kanitani Yoko
    Department of Removable Prosthodontics, The University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry
  • Ichikawa Tetsuo
    Department of Removable Prosthodontics, The University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry
  • Ishikawa Masatoshi
    Department of Removable Prosthodontics, The University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry
  • Nagao Kan
    Department of Removable Prosthodontics, The University of Tokushima, School of Dentistry

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Other Title
  • 要介護高齢者の義歯使用を困難にする要因に関する研究

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Abstract

It is well known that whether the dependent elderly can use dentures or not depends on the degree of both their physical and mental capacities. However, we have observed several cases where two eldely persons having with similar levels of activities of daily living (ADL), a similar degree of independence in daily living, and a similar degree of dementia, differed significantly in their ability to use dentures properly.<BR>From these cases, it can be hypothesized that the ability of the dependent elderly to use dentures properly depends not only on their actual oral condition and ADL, but also on various events in their lives such as the number of their admissions to the hospital since they started wearing dentures. In other words, the cumulative effect of various major life events influences the usage of dentures by the elderly.<BR>Therefore, we conducted a survey designed to investigate the contributing factors that divide those elderly who wear dentures properly from those who do not .<BR>The study participants were the edentulous individuals (71 in total; 16 males, 55 females. Average age: 85.0±5.9 years) who are residents in a geriatric hospital or in a facility of the health care servicesfor the elderly in Tokushima prefecture .<BR>A survey was conducted on the above participants regarding their use of complete dentures, their ADL, their degree of independence for daily living, their degree of dementia, etc.<BR>The results can be summarized as follows: <BR>1 . The frequency of complete denture usage declined as the participant's levels of ADL, independence and dementia worsened, but this decline did not have any relationship to the times of theiradmissions to the hospital/facility or the numbers of members in their family.<BR>2. It was suggested that, among the elderly who have a dementia and mild to low levels of ADL, their ability to wear/remove dentures and to clean the dentures by themselves relates significantly to the frequency of their denture usage .

Journal

  • Ronen Shika Igaku

    Ronen Shika Igaku 16 (1), 22-28, 2001

    Japanese Society of Gerodontology

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