Page 125 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

ORAL HEALTH SCREENING OUTCOMES OF GERIATRIC INPATIENTS AT HOSPITAL KUALA
LUMPUR

Adlin Aslina S, Norjehan Y

Introduction: It is projected that the world population in the next decade shows that the
elderly population will increase substantially and this will be a continuous trend. Aging
and frailty are usually associated with multiple health issues thus geriatric health care is
becoming significantly important. Oral health, as a subgroup of health care is commonly
being disregarded due to other impending and important health issues. Therefore, dental
health practitioners need to play a major role in advocating the importance of maintaining
good and satisfactory oral hygiene. Objectives: To determine the purpose of the referrals
from the geriatric team to the Special Care Dentistry team. To analyse the types of dental
treatment rendered for the patients admitted in Geriatric Ward, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Materials and methods: This research was a retrospective study involving geriatric
patients that was admitted to the Geriatric Ward, HKL from 2016 to 2017. Data were
collected using oral health assessment form for geriatric patients seen at ward 16 for the
year of 2016 and 2017. The assessment form consisted of demographic data, medical
diagnosis, dental status, oral health assessment tool and referral requirements. Results:
A total of 349 patients seen by the SND team at the geriatric ward in 2016 and 2017.
Majority of the patients were in the age group of 70-79 years old (40.1%). Most of the
patients were ADL dependent (48.4%) or semi-independent (46.4%). Conclusion: The
reason of referral from geriatric team was mainly related to tooth extractions followed by
denture related issues. The types of dental treatment rendered for the patients were oral
hygiene instruction, extraction, denture assessment/repair/fabrication. This study
highlight the treatment needs of elderly population in an in-patient setting. Multiple
health issues, disabilities and comorbidities can affect their oral health condition thus oral
health assessment for these patients are important.

Keywords: Oral health screening, Geriatric, Inpatients

Virtual poster presentation at the e-Malaysian Congress of Geriatric Medicine 2021, Virtual Conference organized by
Malaysian Society Geriatric Medicine on 19 – 21 August 2021

Dr Adlin Aslina binti Suhaimi
Special Care Dentistry Specialist
Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II
Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Dr Norjehan Yahaya
Special Care Dentistry Specialist
Hospital Kuala Lumpur

101