Effect of Professional Oral Care on the Incidence of Pneumonia in the Elderly Living in Nursing Homes A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of professional oral health care on the elderly living in nursing homes in decreasing the incidence of pneumonia.  

Study Design: Sixty elderly subjects between the age group of 75 to 85 (mean age 81 with a standard deviation of +/- 0.25 were included the study. They were divided into two groups: with professional oral health care and without professional health care. They were followed up for a period of one year to determine the prevalence of fever (38.50C and above) and aspiration pneumonia.  

Setting: Two nursing homes in an urban town in Kerala  

Results: The prevalence of fever and aspiration pneumonia was significantly lower in subjects receiving professional oral health care than those without professional health care.  

Conclusion: This study showed that professional oral health care decreases the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in elderly people.