Assessment of older adults with and without dental implants living in continuing care or independent facilities.

Patients and dentists have increasingly accepted dental implants to restore edentulous spaces. Daily care for dental implants is more complex and vital to promote implant longevity and health. Research is limited on dental implant status in residents of continuing care (CC) or independent living facilities. This pilot study assessed the oral health status of older adults with and without dental implants living in CC or independent facilities in Alberta. Two registered dental hygienists and a dental hygiene student collected the data using the Canadian Oral Health Screening Tool for Seniors (COHSTS) from July to November 2023. Data collected examined mobility, plaque, bleeding, and suppuration around dental implants and the status of soft tissues, prostheses, dentition, saliva, and pain. Data analysis was completed with descriptive statistics. Ninety-seven (97) participants were included in the study; 82 from CC and 15 from independent living. Six participants had dental implants, with a total of 43 dental implants. Forty-one implant sites (95.3%) had plaque, and 13 implant sites (30.2%) exhibited bleeding of surrounding gingival tissue. Eighty participants (82.5%) had some natural teeth, and 75 participants (93.8%) had the presence of plaque, calculus, and food debris around their natural teeth. Nearly all participants, with and without implants, had high plaque levels. Plaque is a modifiable factor in the disease progression of implants. Unlike natural teeth, dental implants are not a naturally occurring substance. Therefore, they are more susceptible to inflammatory conditions that may lead to dental implant loss. Oral health practitioners should prioritize educating patients on home care techniques before the placement of dental implants to reduce disease risk. Lastly, dental implants should be identified upon admission into CC to ensure care staff are flagged to the specialized care dental implants require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]