Looking after the mouth - Evaluation of a pilot for a new approach to training care home carers in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Improving Dental Access and Oral Health of Older Adults Living in Residential Care: A Qualitative Research

Objectives To explore the access to daily oral care and access to dentistry for those living in a residential care home.

Materials and Methods For this research, a residential care home and a dental practice within the local area to the care home was approached. A total of 45 participants were interviewed.

Statistical Analysis Semi-structured interviews with three separate cohorts were performed, the patients or their friends and families, care home staff, and the dental teams. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results The three cohorts of patients had similar concerns in accessing the dentists including transport, communication, training, and the need for raised awareness of the importance of oral health. The access to daily oral care was impacted upon by apathy and lack of education or training.

Conclusion Better training is required for care home staff and older people living in care on the importance of oral health. The provision of dental services for this community could be delivered differently with a focus on preventing and maintaining independence as long as possible.

Oral health and orofacial pain in people with dementia admitted to acute hospital wards: observational cohort study

Background

Orofacial pain in people with dementia is difficult to detect, and often under-treated. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of orofacial pain in people with dementia in acute hospitals in the UK. Secondary aims were to examine oral health status and explore associations between orofacial pain and oral health factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in two UK hospitals. Using the Orofacial Pain Scale in Non-Verbal Individuals (OPS-NVI) to identify orofacial pain, 101 participants with dementia, admitted to acute medical wards, were observed for at least 3 min during rest and chewing. Verbal participants were then asked about presence of orofacial pain, using self-report pain scales. Finally, a brief oral assessment was performed.

Results

Orofacial pain, assessed with the OPS-NVI, was present in 11.9% (95% C.I. 5.9, 18.8) of participants at rest and 21.9% (95% C.I. 14.6, 31.3) whilst chewing. Participants who were no longer able to self-report pain were significantly more likely to experience orofacial pain. Oral health in both dentate and edentate participants was poor. Brush frequency, indication of chewing quality, consistency of the food, presence of extra-oral abnormalities, person who performed mouth care, and oral hygiene in dentate participants were significant predictors for the presence of orofacial pain.

Conclusion

Improving oral care in acute hospital patients with dementia, particularly those who cannot self-report pain, may significantly reduce pain and suffering in this population.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-018-0810-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Examining the links between hydration, nutrition and mouth health

Hydration, nutrition and mouth health have historically been overlooked and considered in isolation when, in reality, they are interlinked and interdependent. Not only do these health factors greatly influence each other, but also they have a significant effect on general health and wellbeing. By viewing each of these areas in isolation, health professionals risk missing opportunities to maximise patients' health and quality of life. Collaboration between health professions will also maximise benefits to patients. This article aims to explain the health effects of hydration, nutrition and mouth health and the links between them so practitioners consider how they can make positive changes in these areas for their patients and how they can promote collaboration with other health professionals.