The knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding elderly persons' oral care

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the knowledge and views of nursing staff on both acute elderly care and rehabilitation wards regarding elderly persons' oral care with that of carers in nursing homes. Subjects One hundred nurses working on acute, sub-acute and rehabilitation wards for elderly people (Group 1) and 75 carers in nursing homes (Group 2) were surveyed. Design A semi-structured questionnaire. Results Similar percentages of each group of nurses were registered with a dentist (86% and 88% respectively), although more hospitalbased nurses were anxious about dental treatment compared with the nursing home group (40% and 28% respectively). More carers in nursing homes gave regular advice about oral care than the hospitalbased nurses (54% and 43% respectively). Eighteen per cent of each group thought that edentulous individuals did not require regular oral care. Eighty-five per cent of hospital-based nurses and 95% of nursing home carers incorrectly thought that dentures were 'free' on the NHS. Although trends were observed between the two groups, no comparisons were statistically significant (Chi-square; level p < 0.05). Conclusions Deficiencies exist in the knowledge of health care workers both in hospital and in the community setting, although the latter were less knowledgeable but more likely to give advice to older people.

Oral health champions in long‐term care facilities—a pilot study

“…However, with the onsite hands‐on support of the DHC, Facility A also demonstrated significantly improved denture and oral cleanliness status. Studies have shown that caregivers believe in the importance of providing oral hygiene care to their patients; yet, less than a third of them have actually been taught how to implement it . The DHC in Facility A assisted with labeling each resident's dentures and demonstrated oral hygiene methods on an individual case basis.…”

Care home staff knowledge of oral care compared to best practice: a West of Scotland pilot study

“…Not only is training in oral care both desired and required by care staff, 8 it has also been demonstrated to be effective in a number of studies. 19,20,21,22,23 Indeed, the important roles that education and training in oral health care has upon improving knowledge levels, attitudes and participants' ability to undertake tasks such as toothbrushing have previously been illustrated.…”

“…5,6 Deficient oral care within care home residents is a long standing and widely recognised problem. 7,8,9 It is also accepted that the quality of Oral Health Education provided by care home staff varies tremendously. 10 Prior to publication of the Best Practice Statement (BPS) 'Working With Dependent Older…”

A survey of denture identification marking within the United Kingdom

“…This is, however, in accordance with other recent studies which highlight deficiencies in healthcare professionals' knowledge of appropriate healthcare regimes for elderly patients. 18 Indeed, overall oral healthcare provision for this patient cohort was found to be suboptimal (manuscript in preparation).…”