Manual dexterity and dental biofilm accumulation in independent older adults without hand disabilities: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy 2019-03, Vol.25, p.74-83
• Main Authors: Shin, Na-Ri, Choi, Jun-Seon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biofilms - growth & development; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Status; Humans; Male; Manual dexterity; Mature dental biofilm; Motor Skills; Oral Hygiene - standards; Quantitative light-induced fluorescence–digital; Republic of Korea; Sex Factors; Tooth - microbiology; Toothbrushing - standards
• ISSN: 1572-1000; 1873-1597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2018.11.007

•Subjects with low manual dexterity had increased mature dental biofilm.•Reduced manual dexterity may be a predictor of poor oral hygiene in the elderly.•Manual dexterity of older adults should be assessed before dental care. This study investigated the relationship between manual dexterity and dental biofilm accumulation in independent older Koreans using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence-Digital (QLF-D). This cross-sectional study included 44 participants recruited from senior welfare facilities in South Korea and aged ≥65 years. Participants were surveyed using face-to-face structured interviews; manual dexterity was assessed using the Box and Blocks Test. To evaluate dental biofilm accumulation, the 528 surfaces of six index teeth were imaged using QLF-D and then quantified into Simple Plaque Scores (SPS) and ΔR20 values. The t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze differences in SPS and ΔR20 according to general characteristics and manual dexterity. Those who brushed their teeth ≤2 times per day had higher SPS and ΔR20 values on the lingual surface of tooth #24 than those who brushed ≥3 times per day (p