Oral Health Status and Dental Care Needs Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents in Warsaw: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Oral health is a key component of general health and quality of life in the elderly. Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are particularly vulnerable to poor oral health due to multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and dependence on caregivers. Despite increasing awareness of this issue, dental needs in institutionalized populations remain largely unmet.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dental treatment needs of LTCF residents in Warsaw. The analysis focused on oral health status, oral hygiene practices, difficulties with food intake, and the need for assistance in daily oral and nutritional care. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 29 LTCF residents. Data collection included interviews on hygiene habits and dietary difficulties, followed by clinical examination assessing oral mucosa, dentition, prosthetic status, and plaque coverage (Plaque Index). Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism with Mann-Whitney U, Fisher's exact, and Spearman's rank correlation tests.

Results

The median number of missing teeth ranged from 22 to 24. Active caries were found in 17 residents and periodontitis in 19. Oral hygiene was poor, with plaque covering up to 100.0% of tooth surfaces. Women had significantly more missing teeth than men (p = 0.0128). Difficulties with food intake were reported by 69.0% of residents. No significant associations were found between oral hygiene products use and dental or prosthetic status.

Conclusions

This study revealed severely compromised oral health among LTCF residents. Extensive tooth loss, poor hygiene, and limited access to preventive dental care indicate the need for systematic, on-site oral health programs, caregiver training, and integration of dental services into standard geriatric care.