Changes in oral health status and function among older adults through professional oral care and rehabilitation exercises

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a program that combines the oral health promotion program for the elderly and to investigate the effect of improving oral function by applying the oral health promotion program to elderly people using welfare facilities. Methods: From June to October 2022, a total of 29 elderly individuals utilizing welfare facilities in the Gyeongnam region were recruited. The control group underwent surveys and objective oral health assessments. The experimental group participated in an oral health promotion program, consisting of oral functional rehabilitation exercises and expert oral health management, conducted once a week for 8 weeks at the facilities. Objective oral health assessments were conducted before, during (at 4 weeks), and after (at 8 weeks) the intervention period for both groups. Results: As a result of the oral health promotion program, it was confirmed that there was an improvement effect in bad breath (p<0.001), saliva secretion amount (p<0.001), orbicularis oculi muscle (p<0.001), and plaque index (p<0.001). Conclusions: A revitalization plan is needed so that the efficient oral health promotion program for the elderly can be reflected as a systematic and professional community care oral health management program.