Relationship between oral environment and development of pneumonia and acute viral respiratory infection in dependent older individuals.

Aim: The importance of oral care has been recognized for the prevention of airway infections in older individuals who require long-term care. The present prospective cohort study was carried out a decade ago to identify risk factors with numerous intraoral conditions as possible predictors involved in the onset of pneumonia and acute viral respiratory infection (AVRI) in older people requiring long-term care during a 6-month follow-up period (including winter).

Methods: This study included 1785 older individuals residing in 31 long-term care facilities in which dental hygienists were involved in instruction on daily oral care.

Relationship between oral bacteria count and pneumonia onset in elderly nursing home residents.

Aim: Oral bacteria, which are a source of infection for aspiration pneumonia, were examined in frail older adults with the aim of establishing a standard bacteria count that indicates the risk of pneumonia onset in this group.

Methods: A survey of bacteria count in the saliva using a simple instrument for measurement of the number of oral bacteria, along with factors including swallowing function and nutritional status, was carried out in 691 elderly individuals requiring care (137 men; mean age 82.6 ± 8.