Comparison of Oral Health Status on Admission and at Discharge in a Group of Geriatric Rehabilitation Patients

The aim of this study was to compare oral health status on a geriatric rehabilitation ward among patients who were assessed using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG) on admission and at discharge; and to investigate in what respect the oral health procedures (OHP) suggested in ROAG were applied when oral health problems were detected. Registered nurses on the ward performed oral health assessments using ROAG with 107 patients on admission and at discharge. When oral health problems were detected measures to be taken were suggested using ROAG. Oral health problems were common among the patients on admission (86%), as well as at discharge (51%). The frequency of the problems was significantly lower at discharge compared to admission. The OHP that were recommended in ROAG were completely followed when saliva flow-related problems were detected. Regarding other oral health problems, measures other than the recommended ones were often performed. This study demonstrated that the oral health was better at the end of the hospital stay compared to admission. Keywords: geriatric rehabilitation patients, nursing care, oral assessment guide, oral health procedures, oral health status