Oral and general health status in patients treated in a dental consultation clinic of a geriatric ward in Bern, Switzerland

Abstract

This audit reports on the oral and general health of patients who were treated in a dental consultation clinic of a geriatric hospital. Dental and medical records were obtained from 112 female and 80 male patients (mean age, 83.7 ± 8.2 years) who attended a dental consultation. Data analysis included the general health [American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, number of diagnoses, cognitive function] and dental state in the age strata 60-69, 70-79, 80-89 and 90-99 years. Seventy-four per cent of patients were aged over 80 years. The prevalence of ASA-P4 and P3 varied between age groups. Most patients (>86%) had more than three chronic diseases. Cognitive impairment was present in almost half of both older age cohorts (43 and 50%). Half of the patients (52%) were edentulous. In dentate patients, the average number of teeth was 12 ± 6 and differed in the maxilla significantly between age groups (p = 0.005). There was no significant association between dental state, ASA classification and systemic conditions. The profile of this cohort reflects a poor oral and general health status. The results underline the importance of an interdisciplinary consultation in a geriatric ward where oral health care is an integral part.