Oral health remains a neglected aspect of health care among vulnerable populations residing at long-term care facilities. Routine oral health education and training for caregivers have the potential to improve oral health provision. Aims and Objectives To determine the effect of an oral health intervention on caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes. Methods This exploratory study utilised a pre/post-test assessment approach. A total of participated. A pre-test questionnaire was distributed among 145 caregivers from seven long-term care facilities in eThekwini district. An online oral health educational intervention was implemented four weeks later. Six months later, a post-test questionnaire was administered. A Mann-Whitney test and paired sample test were used for statistical analysis. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Participants (n=19; 13.1%) reported that brushing twice a day and flossing were the two most important dental habits in the pre-intervention phase, compared to 71% (n=103) in the post-intervention phase. Caregivers (n=124; 85.5%) in the pre-intervention phase reported to feel that they should be trained in providing oral health care, compared to 93.8% (n=136) in the post-intervention phase. Conclusion The oral health intervention had a positive effect on caregivers’ knowledge and attitudes. This finding necessitates routine oral health education and training for caregivers.

Background: Vulnerable individuals residing at long-term care facilities require special oral health consideration. Examining concepts of oral health and hygiene practices of caregivers becomes essential for understanding the quality of oral health services provided to residents.Aim: This study explored the oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of caregivers.Setting: Long-term care facilities in the eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at seven long-term care facilities among 188 caregivers who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were collated and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Inferential techniques included an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Participants reported that dentures do not to be cleaned (n = 139; 73.9%). Participants (n = 70; 37.2%) reported that some medications have oral side effects. Most participants (n = 173; 92%) were optimistic about improving their oral health knowledge and skills. Participants (n = 108; 57.4%) only reported flossing when they had food trapped between their teeth. Few participants (n = 30; 16%) reported visiting the dentist every 6 months. Conclusion:Participants had a positive attitude to improve their oral health-related knowledge and practices. However, the study showed that there is a need to scale-up oral health education and training activities for caregivers. Contribution:It is envisaged that findings of this study will demonstrate the importance of oral health-related knowledge among caregivers in providing better oral health care through improved attitudes and practices. Keywords: caregivers; long-term care; institutionalised residents; oral health care; oral hygiene; oral health knowledge; oral health practices.

Oral health care workers are frequently at the forefront in recognizing oral manifestations of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and can therefore play a key role in screening and early detection of HIV in dental patients. This study assessed oral health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and possible practices in Voluntary Counselling and rapid HIV testing (VCT) in the dental workplace in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal so as to determine their understanding and support for these services. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to oral health workers located in private and public dental settings in eThekwini district. One hundred (n=100) completed questionnaires were retrieved, yielding a response rate of 83%. The majority of participants (82%) reported that HIV testing and counselling did not occur in their workplace. Participants (87%) also indicated to have not been trained to perform HIV testing. Sixty-six participants (66%) reported willingness to implement HIV testing in their respective dental workplace. Less than half of the study population (41%) were “unsure” regarding the accuracy of rapid HIV testing. Participants reported inadequate knowledge and practice of VCT. Participants had positive attitudes towards VCT implementation in the dental setting, provided that adequate training and support was available from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of Health. Rapid HIV testing, dental workplace, oral health care workers.

Background The prevalence and impact of oral disease among long-term institutionalised residents highlight the need for a scale-up of preventive and promotional oral health services that include oral health education and training for caregiving staff. However, opportunities to improve oral healthcare services are met with challenges. Aim This study was undertaken to establish coordinator perspectives on oral health provision. Setting Seven long-term care facilities in the eThekwini district, South Africa. Methods An in-depth exploratory study was conducted with 14 purposively selected coordinators (managers and nurses). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and focused on coordinators’ experience and perspectives on oral healthcare. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The following themes emerged from the study: A lack of comprehensive oral health care practices, inadequate support from the dental sector, insufficient oral health prioritisation, limited funding for oral health, and challenges associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). All respondents reported that no oral health initiatives existed. Plans for oral health training workshops presented with coordination and funding challenges. Oral health screening initiatives have ceased since COVID-19. Conclusion The study findings indicated that prioritisation of oral health services was inadequate. There is a need for continual oral health in-service training for caregivers and support from coordinators in guiding the implementation of oral health training programmes. Contribution It is envisaged that the findings of this study will bring about greater coordinator involvement and collaboration with the public and private dental sectors to improve oral healthcare at long-term care facilities.

Oral health care workers are frequently at the forefront in recognizing oral manifestations of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and can therefore play a key role in screening and early detection of HIV in dental patients. This study assessed oral health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and possible practices in Voluntary Counselling and rapid HIV testing (VCT) in the dental workplace in eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal so as to determine their understanding and support for these services. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to oral health workers located in private and public dental settings in eThekwini district. One hundred (n=100) completed questionnaires were retrieved, yielding a response rate of 83%. The majority of participants (82%) reported that HIV testing and counselling did not occur in their workplace. Participants (87%) also indicated to have not been trained to perform HIV testing. Sixty-six participants (66%) reported willingness to implement HIV testing in their respective dental workplace. Less than half of the study population (41%) were “unsure” regarding the accuracy of rapid HIV testing. Participants reported inadequate knowledge and practice of VCT. Participants had positive attitudes towards VCT implementation in the dental setting, provided that adequate training and support was available from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of Health. Rapid HIV testing, dental workplace, oral health care workers.