Abstracts by keywords: nursing homes
Dementia is a psychiatric disease caused by neurodegeneration, characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions, leading to changes in patients' daily lives (WHO, 2015). 47.5 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, and this number is expected to rise to 75.6 million by 2030 and exceed 140 million by 2050 (WHO, 2015). In Germany, dementia affects around 1.2 million people, mainly women and seniors. Approximately 200,000 new cases are diagnosed every year (Tunstall, 2015). The average cost associated with these mental illnesses is more than 43,000 euros per patient per year, with almost 68% of this amount borne by carers and families (Tunstall, 2015). Dementia therefore has a significant impact on patients and their relatives, which underlines the need for specially adapted treatments and appropriate management of the disease in Germany.
31.03.2016
Improving oral health and intensifying dental care for residents in nursing homes and facilities for the disabled have been the subject of numerous publications (1) and the subject of political initiatives (2) for many years. The Federal Dental Association (BZÄK) and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) presented a joint concept in 2010 (3). Almost all authors assume that dental care in these facilities is inadequate. In 2006, the dental service of the Bremen Public Health Department examined the residents of two nursing homes in Bremen and determined the existing need for dental treatment. In over 30% of the residents examined, dental intervention would have been urgently required at that time (4).