THE NEED TO ADDRESS ORAL HEALTH CONCERNS FOR END OF LIFE PATIENTS IN LONG TERM CARE - Section 1 - summary

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Finn

A retrospective cohort chart review examined dental service utilization among frail older adults in long-term care during the last two years of life, using five appointment-attendance groups. Findings showed 84% of decedents used on-site dental services, and about 66% completed three or more visits. Medicaid beneficiaries had higher utilization, with diagnostic (including emergency and palliative) and preventive care most common, alongside frequent denture-related procedures. The study highlights a growing demand and the need for administrative and policy strategies to deliver end-of-life dental services in LTC.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study focus and setting

Cohort design and categorization

Key utilization findings

Predictors and common procedures

Implications for policy and administration

FAQs

What setting and time window did the study examine?

The study reviewed long-term care patients with a dental visit in the two years before death, focusing on utilization during the last two years of life.

What proportion of patients used dental services before death?

Eighty-four percent of patients who died during the study period utilized on-site dental services in their last two years of life.

Which patient group showed higher dental service utilization?

Multivariate analysis indicated Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely to have higher dental service utilization than others.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Finn