Oral Health Care Education for Nursing Home Caregivers
An Evidence-Based Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
This oral health care educational intervention teaches caregivers in nursing homes proper oral health care techniques. Institutionalized elderly people frequently have poor oral health, due to inadequate knowledge about oral health care, and the dependence on caregivers' assistance with all aspects of personal hygiene care. During a one-hour session, a licensed health promoter teaches caregivers about oral health and demonstrates how to clean dentures and natural teeth. Participants are able to practice cleaning techniques using mannequins, models, and other teaching aids. The program also distributes toothbrushes to all clients to encourage oral hygiene.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this educational program was to improve the quality of oral health care nursing home residents received from their caregivers.
Impact
This study shows that oral health care education can improve caregivers' knowledge, attitudes and oral health care delivery for elderly clients.
Results / Accomplishments
The educational intervention was evaluated using a cluster-randomized controlled trial comparing the oral health of residents in intervention nursing homes to a control group. After the oral health care education, the intervention group had significantly lower denture plaque scores when compared to the control group at 1-month (1.66 vs. 2.82, p < 0.001) and 6-month follow-ups (1.61 vs. 3.09, p < 0.001). Denture-induced stomatitis prevalence was significantly reduced over 6 months when compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). The intervention group had significantly lower dental plaque scores at both follow-ups (1.69 vs. 2.08 at 1-month, and 1.87 vs. 2.18 at 6-months, p's < 0.001) and significantly lower gingivitis scores at the 6-month follow-up (1.08 vs. 1.36, p < 0.001).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Bristol Dental Hospital
Primary Contact
Heather Frenkel
Topics
Health / Oral Health
Health / Older Adults
Health / Older Adults
Organization(s)
Bristol Dental Hospital
Source
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
Date of publication
Aug 2001
Location
UK
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults