... studies).-Nursing and general medical variablesIndependence for dressing and washing and independ-ence for oral hygiene were categorised into three levels (independent, some help needed and dependent). ... Leake JL. An index of chewing ability. J Public Health Den. 1990;50:262-267.6. Soini H, Muurinen S, Routasalo P, Sandelin E, Savikko N, Suom-inen M, Ainamo A, Pitkala KH. Oral and nutritional ... main ndings were that wearing dentures increased mortality even when controlled for age, se-vere cognitive impairment, educational level, need-ing help for dressing or washing and needing...