Oral microbial flora and oral malodour of the institutionalised elderly in Japan.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the oral health status, especially the level of oral microbial flora and oral malodour, of institutionalised elderly people compared with non-institutionalised elderly people.

SETTING

Three institutions and numerous private homes.

SUBJECTS: 56 institutionalised and 56 non-institutionalised elderly people.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Institutionalised elderly people had higher levels of candida, staphylococci, and oral malodour.

RESULTS

Institutionalised elderly people had a higher level of candida in denture wearers, and a higher level of staphylococci and oral malodour compared with the non-institutionalised elderly.

CONCLUSION

The institutionalised elderly have a higher risk of opportunistic infections and oral health care should be improved to protect them from these infections and to reduce oral malodour.