Screening for elder mistreatment in a dental clinic population

J Elder Abuse Negl. 2012 Oct;24(4):326-39. doi: 10.1080/08946566.2012.661683.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility and utility of screening for elder mistreatment in a dental clinic population. We approached older adults in a busy dental clinic and enrolled 139 persons over the age of 65 who completed an Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI), which included the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (HS-EAST). Overall, 48.4% of the participants scored 3 or greater on the HS-EAST, and 28.3% scored 4 or greater. Our study suggests that there is an opportunity to screen in busy dental clinics and to facilitate early detection for those patients who screen positive for elder mistreatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Dental Clinics*
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Elder Abuse / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male