scholarly journals Does enhancing personal care assistants’ own oral health influence their attitudes and practices towards oral care for residents - a pilot study

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJM Knevel ◽  
J Foley ◽  
M Gussy ◽  
L Karimi
Author(s):  
Florence M.F. Wong

Background: The oral health of elderly populations is a significant concern, as it is closely linked to general health and health-related quality of life. Poor oral health exacerbates oral diseases, leading to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and self-care dependence, particularly in the elderly, worldwide. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) play influential roles in individual oral care. However, the evidence of KAP related to oral care among the elderly is still inadequate. Objective: This study aimed to examine KAP and their associated factors related to oral care among the elderly community. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. The eligible subjects were recruited, using convenience sampling and snowball sampling. Results: A total of 385 elderly individuals were included, and 51.4% were women. The mean age was 71.66 (SD 6.28). Knowledge was reportedly poor, as more than 50% elderly answered several questions incorrectly. The mean attitude and practices scores were 44.94 (SD 6.33) and 68.90 (SD 10.44), respectively. There was a significant correlation among knowledge, attitudes, and practices (p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis revealed numerous factors had remarkably significant association with knowledge [R2 = 0.30, F (4,380) = 11.96, p < 0.001], attitudes [R2 = 0.28, F (6,378) = 9.27, p < 0.001], and practices [R2 = 0.31, F (5,379) = 12.34, p < 0.001], particularly education levels, full-time employment, and self-care independence. Conclusions: Based on the KAP theoretical model, KAP are closely interrelated. Identified factors associated with KAP are useful to understand at-risk groups. Elderly individuals at lower education levels, with poor family support and inadequate self-care independence, have poor KAP related to oral care. Therefore, this study improves insight for health promotion developers, suggesting that more attention should be paid to at-risk elderly groups’ oral health. To enhance participation in dental care and improve oral care performance in the elderly, educational program containing oral health knowledge should be offered to at-risk groups. Family support and involvement are also important for improving oral care among elderly individuals.


Author(s):  
Taru Aro ◽  
Marja-Liisa Laitala ◽  
Hannu Vähänikkilä ◽  
Helvi Kyngäs ◽  
Antti Tiisanoja ◽  
...  

The role of geriatric nurses is essential in preventing oral health problems of older people with impaired daily functioning. Nurses have reported low self-efficacy with regard to oral health care practices and wish to receive more information on the topic. The main aim of this pilot study was to develop an instrument to measure the self-efficacy beliefs, challenges and knowledge of geriatric home care nurses with regard to the oral health care of older. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate geriatric home care nurses’ self-efficacy beliefs, challenges and knowledge regarding the oral health care of the older people. In this case, 18 nurses participated in a one-day intervention and filled in the questionnaire before and after the intervention. The comments and questions of the nurses were analysed utilising the principles of inductive content analysis. Cronbach’s alpha for the scales varied between 0.69–0.79. The interactive intervention improved both nurses’ self-efficacy beliefs and oral health-related knowledge, and most of the challenges faced by nurses in older people’s oral health care were diminished. Financial resources and older people’s self-determination were the most common limitations to oral care. In this pilot study, we developed an instrument to measure geriatric home care nurses’ self-efficacy beliefs, challenges and knowledge regarding older people’s oral health care. In the future, this instrument can be validated with a larger study population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hollie-Ann Lee Shortland ◽  
Sally Hewat ◽  
Gwendalyn Webb ◽  
Anne E. Vertigan

Abstract BackgroundPoor oral health is a known predictor of aspiration pneumonia in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and chronically ill and has been linked to systemic disease, morbidity, and mortality. Reduced oral health not only places individuals at a greater risk of aspiration pneumonia but may result in pain or poorer dentition which can impact on mastication and swallowing. Consequences of this may include reduced oral intake, malnutrition, poorer health outcomes and reduced quality of life. Few evidence-based protocols exist to manage oral care in aged care populations, and maintenance of good oral hygiene is difficult for nursing and care staff to facilitate. However, myofunctional devices reportedly improve oral hygiene, oral behaviours, and swallowing, along with breathing and speech. The primary aims of this study are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a using a myofunctional device to improve oral care and swallowing function in an aged care population. Methods/DesignThis project is a pilot study that involves a five-week intervention for oral hygiene and dysphagia for residents >65 years old in an aged care setting. Feasibility will be measured by number of consenting participants, trial completion rates, and treatment adherence. Acceptability will be measured through verbal surveys of aged care residents and a questionnaire of care staff assisting with the intervention. Secondary outcome measures will record changes in oral hygiene and dysphagia pre and post intervention. DiscussionThe results of this trial will provide important information regarding the acceptability and feasibility of utilising a myofunctional device to improve oral care and dysphagia in elderly patients in an aged care facility. This knowledge will further guide and inform design of a larger trial or future research. Trial registrationThis trial was registered 8/10/2021 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry and allocated the ACTRN: ACTRN12621001359820. Web address for trial: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621001359820.aspx


Author(s):  
Florence M. F. Wong

Background: Oral health of elderly people is a global concern. Poor oral health in institutionalized elderly people has been attributed to poor knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare providers. However, no validated KAP tool is available yet. Objective: To develop and validate a tool to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare providers in oral care of institutionalized elderly people. Methods: The development and validation of the tool was based on literature reviews, comments from professional experts, and statistical analytic methods. Content validity in the instrument psychometric property and its relevance with reliability are essential. Content validity ratio and content validity index were performed. Then, a pilot study was conducted in 20 institutionalized healthcare providers for testing applicability, feasibility, and reliability. Results: A total of 43 items were developed in three domains, knowledge (19 items), attitude (13 items), and practice (11 items). Content validity analysis revealed the KAP tool with high values of the I-CVI (score 1.00) and S-CVI (S-CVI/UA result 1.00). The test-retest reliability with Cronbach’s alphas of knowledge, attitude, practice, and overall KAP were 0.67, 0.93, 0.92, and 0.94, respectively. Conclusions: The developed and validated tool is appropriate to measure KAP of healthcare providers in oral care of institutionalized elderly people. It can be used to measure KAP of institutionalized healthcare providers in order to develop appropriate strategies to improve KAP of healthcare providers.


Author(s):  
Dr. Vishal Thakur ◽  
Dr. Reetika Thakur ◽  
Dr. Manpreet Kaur ◽  
Dr. Jasleen Kaur ◽  
Dr. Atul Kumar ◽  
...  

Pregnancy is a unique, exciting time in a woman's life, and there are so many changes going on in human body during pregnancy and mouth is no exception , so good oral hygiene is extremely important during pregnancy . Usually oral health is often the most neglected form of health during all stages of life & the most important cause for this neglection is lack of awareness among people & this problems also increases when a lady is pregnant because of mis-perceptions and mis-leading information in the society or due to lack of knowledge. But the fact is during pregnancy many complex physiologic changes occur in the women’s body, which can adversely affect oral health and in turn those oral health problems may lead to pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth or low birth weight. Proper oral care is of utmost importance during pregnancy to avoid these complications. Avoiding foods that may cause oral problems, proper brushing and flossing and having dental consultations on a regular basis are steps to ensure good oral health during pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110126
Author(s):  
J.L.P. Protudjer ◽  
C. Billedeau ◽  
K. Hurst ◽  
R. Schroth ◽  
C. Stavropoulou ◽  
...  

Introduction: Rates of periodontal disease and tooth loss are increased in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Understanding factors that contribute to the increased burden of periodontal disease in RA is critical to improving oral health and arthritis outcomes. Objectives: To determine the perceptions held by people with RA relating to their oral health, to identify patient-centered priorities for oral health research, and to inform optimal strategies for delivering oral health knowledge. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients with RA. Recorded interview transcripts were iteratively reviewed to reveal surface and latent meaning and to code for themes. Constructs were considered saturated when no new themes were identified in subsequent interviews. We report themes with representative quotes. Results: Interviews were conducted with 11 individuals with RA (10 women [91%]; mean age, 68 y), all of whom were taking RA medication. Interviews averaged 19 min (range, 8 to 31 min) and were mostly conducted face-to-face. Three overall themes were identified: 1) knowledge about arthritis and oral health links; 2) oral health care in RA is complicated, both in personal hygiene practices and in professional oral care; and 3) poor oral health is a source of shame. Participants preferred to receive oral health education from their rheumatologists or dentists. Conclusions: People with RA have unique oral health perceptions and experience significant challenges with oral health care due to their arthritis. Adapting oral hygiene recommendations and professional oral care delivery to the needs of those with arthritis are patient priorities and are required to improve satisfaction regarding their oral health. Knowledge Translation Statement: Patients living with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis described poor oral health–related quality of life and multiple challenges with maintaining optimal oral health. Study findings indicate a need for educational materials addressing oral health maintenance for patients with rheumatic diseases and their providers.


Author(s):  
Kirsi Rasmus ◽  
Antti Toratti ◽  
Saujanya Karki ◽  
Paula Pesonen ◽  
Marja-Liisa Laitala ◽  
...  

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the acceptability of an oral health-related mobile application developed for young children based on the feedback given by the children and their parents. Another aim was to evaluate the self-reported change in children’s oral health behaviors during a short test period. The application—a virtual pet integrated into a child’s daily routines—aimed to promote oral hygiene and dietary behaviors in children. A total of 36 4–12-year-old voluntary children were given a mobile phone with the installed application. After the 5-week testing period, the feasibility of the application and possible changes in the children’s oral health behaviors were asked using an electronic questionnaire. Most of the children considered the application clear (n = 34), amusing (n = 31), and useful (n = 29). The children’s tooth brushing manners improved both qualitatively and quantitatively: the time used for tooth brushing increased and the children learned how to brush different tooth surfaces. Mobile applications can be fun and useful in oral health promotion; while playing, children can learn good oral health-related behaviors. Mobile applications integrate oral health promotion into children’s daily environment and routines.


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