The Effect of Oral Health Care Program on Oral Hygiene and Oral Function for the Elderly Patient With Dementia in Day Care Center

Oral hygiene was assessed using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) as the primary outcome measure. OHAT is a validated composite scale with a total score ranging from 0 to 16, with higher total scores indicating poorer oral health status.

Oral function was assessed using standardized functional assessments to evaluate changes in oral motor and swallowing function following the oral care intervention. Higher scores or values indicate better oral or swallowing function.

Dental plaque accumulation was assessed using the Plaque Index, which evaluates the thickness of dental plaque at the gingival area. Scores range from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater plaque accumulation and poorer oral hygiene.

Tongue coating was assessed using the Tongue Coating Index, with scores ranging from 0 to 2. A lower score indicates less tongue coating and better oral hygiene.

The ability to puff the cheeks was assessed using a functional scoring scale ranging from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates inability to puff the cheeks, 3 indicates barely able to puff the cheeks, and 5 indicates the ability to puff both cheeks. Higher scores indicate better oral function.

Swallowing ability was assessed using a choking frequency scale ranging from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates tube feeding, 1 indicates frequent choking, 3 indicates occasional choking, and 5 indicates almost no choking. Higher scores indicate better swallowing function.

Have the subject sit. The examiner gently places their fingertip on the subject's Adam's apple or hyoid bone and instructs the subject to swallow saliva. The examiner can feel the Adam's apple rise and then return to its original position. If the subject experiences dry mouth, about 1 cc of water can be given. Observe this action for 30 seconds and record the number of swallows obtained through palpation.The Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test (RSST) was used to assess swallowing function by counting the number of saliva swallows within 30 seconds. Higher values indicate better swallowing ability.

Oral diadochokinetic (DDK) rate was assessed by counting the number of syllable repetitions produced within 10 seconds. Higher values indicate better oral motor function.