eDent – new technical devices for better oral health for older people

The prevalence of anchored implants in the over-60 age group has increased significantly in recent decades. In Sweden, life expectancy is increasing, while diseases, medications, cognitive and motor impairments make it more difficult to maintain good oral health. Current prophylaxis methods and resources for older people will be insufficient in the future.

Aim of the study

The main focus of this study is to find and develop new and invent/use existing digital technologies and tools to maintain and improve oral health and quality of life. Technology development and impact evaluation.

Implementation

Oral health is the gateway to quality of care and everyday life in old age. Therefore, it is of great importance to evaluate whether new assistive technologies can contribute to good oral health for older people with different degrees of mild cognitive impairment. By introducing an electric toothbrush with features that allow to remind and collect information about use, we will firstly facilitate oral care for this group, and we propose that this will lead to a higher quality of life for the persons involved. Secondly, this will have a major impact on the care situation and the need for reactive dental care. Expected outcomes are to see both how the actual reminders can be designed to cater for this group and informal/formal, the context of how these reminders can be used and ultimately whether this impacts on the oral health of the group (EDENT study).