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Biomedical subjects

L C Niessen

Publications and source records attributed to L C Niessen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Oral health status of a long-term-care, veteran population.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates the largest, integrated health care system in the United States of America. The projected need for long-term-care in the VA health care system parallels an expected increase in need for care in the United States, but precedes the need for care in the general population by 25-30 yr. The VA's Office of Dentistry, in an effort to estimate the resource requirements of this swelling group of veterans, initiated in 1986-7 an oral health survey of long-term care patients. The overall goals were to describe the oral health status of VA nursing home care units (NHCU) residents and to develop a methodology for estimating future dental health services utilization. This study describes the oral health status of the study population. Demographic and oral health data were collected for 650 long-term care residents of six VA NHCUs between October 1986 and July 1987. Data were collected on sociodemographic status, medical history, dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral soft tissue pathology, and the presence of dental prostheses. Caries and periodontal disease were evaluated using the United States National Institute of Dental Research Survey of Employed Adults and Seniors protocols. The oral health status of the population is described using DMF and ESI indices, the prevalence of oral lesions, levels of tooth loss, oral hygiene scores, and the status of existing dentures. Findings show moderate levels of untreated dental caries and periodontal disease and significant tooth loss which increased with age. A need for preventive therapy, restorative dentistry, conservative periodontal therapy, and prosthodontic care was evident.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Aging and oral health: implications for women.

Of the 30 million Americans over age 65, 18.3 million are women and it is estimated that between 1989 and 2030, women will make up an increasingly large segment of this group. As one ages, the risk of chronic disease increases. These diseases and their treatment can have a significant impact on oral health. This article will discuss relevant issues in providing oral health care for older women. The demographics of aging in women, chronic diseases commonly seen in older women, and the impact of these diseases on oral health treatment planning will also be discussed. The article will highlight the importance of prevention of oral diseases throughout a woman's lifetime.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Restorative considerations for special needs patients.

Individuals are living longer with more chronic and disabling conditions than previous generations of adults. In addition, they are retaining more of their natural dentition than ever before. As a result, it will be common for a dentist in practice in the next 20 to 30 years to care for many patients with special needs. These individuals offer unique challenges to the dental practitioner. Dentists must be knowledgeable in the oral aspects of various medical conditions and the systemic manifestation of oral diseases. In addition to the oral medicine aspects of practice, dentists must be skilled clinically to care for the unique restorative needs with which these patients present. As individuals age or become chronically ill, people deserve the opportunity to select from all that modern dentistry has to offer. Patients must be involved intimately in the decision-making process. No dental professional should assume because a patient is old or chronically ill that he or she lacks the financial resources or the desire to maintain his or her oral health.

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PubMed1992

Financing oral health care. Can dentistry diversify the portfolio?

One of the easiest ways to measure socioeconomic status in 20th-century America is to look in the mouth. Socioeconomic status is directly related to access to oral health care. And access to oral health care is directly related to financing oral health care.

Dental Health Services↗
PubMed1992

Preventive actions for enhancing oral health.

Preventive regimens that have proven efficacy for older adults include topical fluoride rinses, brush-on gels, and antiplaque agents. The efficacy of patient education for both dental office and institutional patients is documented in this article. The use of a preventive and oral health maintenance plan for each patient can improve his or her quality of life even in the face of multiple chronic conditions.

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PubMed1991

Oral cancer screening in the elderly.

Oral cancers represent approximately 3% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Oral cancer is one-fifth as common as cancer of the breast, colon, and lung but more than twice as common as cervical cancer. Incidence rates for oral cancer are highest among older men. Epidemiologic data identify alcohol and tobacco as major risk factors associated with the disease. Screening for oral cancer is a simple, non-invasive procedure which can be easily incorporated into the comprehensive assessment of older patients. Oral cancer screening can detect early, localized lesions which are associated with an improved prognosis. Five-year survival rates are more than four times greater in individuals with localized lesions than those with distant metastases. Since older Americans visit their physician more often than their dentist, the physician's medical examination provides an excellent opportunity to screen for oral cancers.

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PubMed1991

Epidemiologic studies of oral mucosal conditions--methodologic issues.

The methods used in the international English-language literature of epidemiologic investigations of oral mucosal conditions were reviewed. Methods used to study leukoplakia, lichen planus, recurrent herpes labialis, recurrent aphthous ulcers, geographic tongue and candidiasis are highlighted. In addition, studies of the full range of pathologies documented in a population were reviewed. The methodologic issues raised by the epidemiologic literature as well as those to be considered for future studies of oral mucosal conditions are presented. Emphasis is placed on study population selection, diagnostic criteria development, type and training of examiners, risk factor assessment and issues related to data collection, analysis and reporting.

Candidiasis, Oral↗