Dentistry

The Effect of Caregiver Education in Providing Optimal Oral Care in Long-term Care Setting

International Conference on Dental & Oral Health

August 19-21, 2013 Embassy Suites Las Vegas, NV, USA

Sara Abbasi Monjezi and Ashkan Javaheri

Posters: Dentistry

Abstract:

Objective: Institutionalized older adults in long-term care (LTC) setting frequently have poor oral health due to dependence on caregivers' assistance with all aspects of oral hygiene and staff inadequate knowledge. The purpose of this poster is to demonstrate the effect of caregiver education by oral health professionals in promoting basic knowledge to provide better oral care to this vulnerable population. Method: Sixty six certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in two nursing homes received one-hour training session including PowerPoint and hands-on presentation. They all completed pre- and post- education self-evaluation competency survey in seven categories including; General dental care, gum/ tongue care, denture/ partial care, infection control, correct patient positioning, reporting mouth problems, and safety precautions. Result: CNAs ranked their level of confidence in each category from one being ?not confident at all? to five being ?very confident?. 48 (72%) CNAs reported lack of confidence in providing overall oral and mouth care but after attending the educational session, only 9 (13%) reported lack of confidence. The poster will review the survey results in more depth. Conclusion: Poor oral health in LTC is directly linked to pneumonia and other serious health problems. Most CNAs do not have sufficient training and educating CNAs is the key to providing optimal oral care. Dentists and hygienists can play an important role in this matter. LTC Facilities should get more involved in promoting oral health as part of Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program mandated by Affordable Care Act.