Masticatory coefficient and physical functioning in older frail patients admitted for a Comprehensive Gerontological Assessment.

Background: Physical functioning may be limited in older, frail patients with missing teeth without prosthetic correction. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between physical performance and the geriatric masticatory coefficient (GMC) in patients who underwent both a comprehensive gerontological assessment (CGA) to improve poly-pathology management and an intra-oral exam.

Methods: All patients were evaluated based on the following: (corrected) GMC, number of posterior occluding pairs (POPs), short physical performance battery (SPPB) or timed up and go (TUG) test, and mini-nutritional assessment (MNA).

Characterization of mouthguards: Impact performance.

Background/aim: It is difficult to characterize the impact behavior of mouthguards on the basis of their components. Impact behavior tests should be performed on mouthguard formed to simulate their intra-oral performance. The aim of this study was to compare the impact behavior of six models of mouthguards using a standardized experimental protocol.

Characterization of mouth-formed mouthguards: thermal performance.

This study examined whether the thermo-modeling process suits the thermal properties of the material constituting mouth-formed mouthguards (MGs). Five mouth-formed MGs were compared: four commercially available MGs (SDI™, Gel Nano™, Opro Shield Gold™, and Kipsta R300™) and one prototype. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine melting (T(m)) and crystallization (T(c)) temperatures and specific fusion and crystallization enthalpies (∆H(f) and ∆H(c) (J/g)).

Relationships between oral health, dysphagia and undernutrition in hospitalised elderly patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe relationships between oral status, dysphagia and malnutrition in a hospitalised older people.

Background: Undernutrition in older people is a major concern in geriatric hospital wards. Different factors can modify nutritional status like dysphagia or oral status.

Efficiency at the resident's level of the NABUCCOD nutrition and oral health care training program in nursing homes.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a nutrition and oral care training program on nursing home (NH) policies and residents.

Design: Cross-sectional surveys before/after intervention.

Participants: One hundred thirty-eight NHs participated in the initial training.