Oral and Mucosal Complaints among Institutionalized Care Seniors in Malopolska Voivodeship—The Utility of the Mirror Sliding Test in an Assessment of Dry Mouth

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to evaluate reported oral and mucosal complaints among seniors residing in institutionalized 24-h care of the Municipal Center for Older and Dependent People (MHCOD) and the 3-month rehabilitation program of the Daily Medical Care House (DMCH). We evaluated the feasibility of using the dental mirror slidding test to assess dry mouth of seniors. Patients underwent a questionnaire, and clinical examination. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain, Fox’s questionnaire and Challacombe’s scale with Clinical Oral Dryness Score to assess dryness of the mouth, dental mirror slidding test to assess buccal mucosal resistance. Dryness, mucosal burning, impaired taste, food intake are symptoms associated with seniors, and their frequency does not depend on the type of care. The incidence of mucosal burning (Mdn = 4.0, IQR = 4.75, p = 0.032) and difficulty in using dental prosthetics (Mdn = 3.0, IQR = 4.00, p = 0.010) increase with the length of stay at MHCOD. Seniors are at risk of side effects of polypharmacy, which cause dryness (p = 0.036), complaints of lack of saliva (p = 0.009)and taste disorders (p = 0.041. Seniors with higher levels of dry mouth are more likely to exhibit mucosal burning (p = 0.026) and difficulty in taking food (p = 0.037). The implementation of the dental mirror slidding test in the scope of the primary care of geriatric examination should be discussed.

Clinical and Subjective Oral Health Status of Care Home Residents in Europe: A Systematic Review

“…A mean salivary flow rate of 0.20-0.29 ml/min was found by Van 64 Two studies estimated dry mouth by the 'adhesiveness of dental mirror on the mucosa' and found 46.0-54% of the residents experiencing moderate ('slip resistance') and 11.0-14% severe hyposalivation ('mirror trapped in mucosa'). 57,87 Very few studies reported on the prevalence of denture stomatitis. Three publications stated 10.0-15.0% of denture wearers were suffering from denture stomatitis.…”

“…8,10,30,60,61 Prevalence data on oral pain or discomfort ranged between 6.0% and 40.5%. 5,22,25,45,46,49,58,61,79,87 Considering the impact oral conditions had on the everyday lives of residents, 20.0-50.0% of residents reported their Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was affected 8,41,46-48,66. Several studies reported only a mean score for the OHRQoL instrument applied 9,26,27,36,61,62,71,73,79,89 .…”

“…Proportions of older people reporting eating difficulties ranged from 5 to 55%. 10,25,43,45,65,87,90,91 One study reported differences in the prevalence of eating difficulties between dentate and edentate residents; 16.9% and 29.1% respectively. (8) Chewing problems led to adapting the food structure (cutting their food in smaller pieces, pureed food) in 10.0% to 35.8% of residents.…”

“…(8) Chewing problems led to adapting the food structure (cutting their food in smaller pieces, pureed food) in 10.0% to 35.8% of residents. 30,79 In three studies from Finland, 11.0-20.0% of the residents reported swallowing problems 25,50,87,91 while in the United Kingdom, the self-reported swallowing quality was 'good' for 73.0%, 'moderate' for 22.5% and 'bad' for 4.5% of the residents. 79 The prevalence of xerostomia (subjective feeling of a dry mouth) in care home residents varied between 15.0% 5,25,65,91 and 59.0% 64 , with the majority of studies reporting 35.0-50.0%.…”