Memory decline in older individuals predicts an objective indicator of oral health: findings from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that there is an association between poor oral health and cognitive function in late adulthood. However, most studies to date have relied on cross-sectional research methods that do not permit inferences about the temporality of any association. Moreover, the few longitudinal studies that do exist have typically relied on small samples and quite limited cognitive or oral health assessments.

Optimising oral health in frail older people.

There is a link between oral health and systemic health. Conditions such as dementia and pneumonia are associated with poor oral health. Frail older people receive regular care from medical and nursing staff but tend not to see dentists regularly or only seek treatment when there is a dental problem.

Unexpected sequel to silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride treatment of root stumps supporting an overlay denture in an aged-care patient.

An institutionalized high care dementia patient, who is unable to maintain his own oral health, presented with five lower anterior carious root stumps supporting a lower overlay denture. Due to limited cooperation, his root stumps were treated with only silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride applied topically on a 4-monthly cycle. Almost one and a half years after his initial application, there were unexpected calculus formations on the root stumps accompanied by marked gingival inflammation and gingival hyperplasia.

A pilot study on the feasibility of training nurses to formulate multicomponent oral health interventions in a residential aged care facility.

Objectives: This 10 weeks feasibility study investigated whether residential care nurses with 12 hours advanced oral health training in assessments and saliva testing could formulate, implement and monitor individualised oral care plans of early dementia residents.

Method: Four trained lead advocate nurses using SXI-D, OHIP14, oral health assessment tool (OHAT) assessments and a modified saliva test formulated nurse scheduled comprehensive oral care plans (NSCOCPs) by selecting and scheduling preventive products and procedures multiple times throughout the day to alkalise the mouth of 8 residents as an adjunct to assisted brushing and high-fluoride toothpaste.

Results: Nurse assessments, saliva tests and care plans were validated against oral health therapist (OHT) findings.

An alternate technique of care using silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride in the management of root caries in aged care.

An alternate technique of care to prevent, arrest and manage root caries using aqueous silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride (AgF+SnF2) in aged care is demonstrated by three case studies. With increasing age, the inability to maintain ones own oral care from dementia, illness or frailty and polypharmacy induced salivary gland hypofunction will result in dental caries becoming a progessively greater burden for the elderly. Future generations of elders will live longer and need to maintain many more teeth longer than earlier generations.