Oral health patterns of independently living dentate older people: a cross-sectional survey of dental attendees in south-east London.

Background: The oral health needs of older adults present increasing challenges to dental services.

Objectives: To examine the clinical oral health status of dentate older people living in the community and attending dental services.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-six dentate adults, aged ≥60 years, underwent clinical examination (DMFS, Plaque and Gingival Indexes), salivary analysis and completed a questionnaire.

The potential benefits of sugar-free chewing gum on the oral health and quality of life of older people living in the community: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the effects of prescribing sugar-free chewing gum on the oral health and quality of life of dentate older people living in the community and attending for routine dental care.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 186 older people who were not regular chewers of gum, (aged 60 years and over with ≥ 6 teeth) recruited from primary care clinics. Participants were randomly allocated to a gum-chewing group (chewing xylitol-containing gum twice a day for 15 min; n = 95) or a control group (no gum; n = 91).

Child oral health concerns amongst parents and primary care givers in a Sure Start local programme.

Aim: To conduct an oral health promotion needs assessment amongst parents and primary care givers of pre-school children in a South East London Sure Start Local Programme (SSLP).

Objective: To explore the oral health concerns and oral health literacy with regard to children's oral health amongst parents and primary care givers in a South East London SSLP.

Design: A qualitative study using four in-depth focus groups with a purposive sample of 20 participants.

Oral Bifidobacteria: caries-associated bacteria in older adults.

Bifidobacteria are aciduric bacteria that might play a role in the caries process. To test the hypothesis that Bifidobacteria behave as caries-associated organisms, as predicted by the ecological plaque hypothesis, we determined salivary levels of Bifidobacteria and caries-associated organisms for 156 older adults. Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and yeasts were correlated with each other (p < 0.

BDA special care case mix model.

Routine dental care provided in special care dentistry is complicated by patient specific factors which increase the time taken and costs of treatment. The BDA have developed and conducted a field trial of a case mix tool to measure this complexity. For each episode of care the case mix tool assesses the following on a four point scale: 'ability to communicate', 'ability to cooperate', 'medical status', 'oral risk factors', 'access to oral care' and 'legal and ethical barriers to care'.