Oral Health Services in Long-term Care Facilities Between 1989 and 2003—Has Germany Seen any Progress? †

SummaryBackgroundIn view of the growing number of people requiring long-term nursing care the problem of dental care in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) remains an open issue. The aim of this study was to find out whether and how dental care in LTCF has changed over a period of 14 years.MethodsData on the standard of dental care provided in LTCF in Berlin collected from directors of these homes in 1989 (n = 85) and 2003 (n = 54) were compared.ResultsIn 1989, 72% and in 2003, 66% of the elderly residents being newly admitted did not receive a dental entrance examination. In 2003, one nursing service requested prior dental hygienic measures as a requirement for admittance, whereas in 1989, this was not required by a single nursing center (p = 0.125). In 1989, a dentist was available on call in 16% of LTCF increasing to 78% in 2003 (p = 0.000). In 1989, yearly and half-yearly dental examinations were carried out in 11% of LTCF increasing to 28% (p = 0.000) in 2003. No routine dental examinations were performed in 31% (1989) and in 39% (2003) of LTCF. In 1989, 27% of the respondents classified dental care as being good; in 2003, one-half of the surveyed home directors expressed this opinion (p = 0.0018).ConclusionIn spite of some parameter having improved, the study shows that dental care in LTCF continues to be deficient and that awareness of directors of the homes, as a necessary prerequisite for any improvement, is still lacking.