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Investigating the impact of a community‐based geriatric dentistry rotation on oral health literacy and oral hygiene of older adults
Author(s) -
Hjertstedt Jadwiga,
Barnes Stacy L.,
Sjostedt Jennifer M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
gerodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1741-2358
pISSN - 0734-0664
DOI - 10.1111/ger.12038
Subject(s) - medicine , oral hygiene , health literacy , oral health , literacy , intervention (counseling) , dentistry , hygiene , gerontology , family medicine , nursing , health care , pathology , economics , economic growth
Objective This study investigated the impact of a community‐based geriatric dentistry rotation on older adults' oral health literacy and oral hygiene. Materials and methods A pre–post study design was used to assess the impact of the educational intervention. The study sample consisted of 67 older adults, who resided in independent or assisted living apartments (age: M = 84, SD = 7.3). Over the course of the programme, participants received patient education pertaining to oral health and oral hygiene. Oral health literacy was assessed using the R apid E stimation of A dult L iteracy in D entistry ( REALD –30) test at baseline and on the final visit. Oral hygiene was measured on four visits using the O 'Leary, D rake and N aylor P laque C ontrol R ecord ( PI ). Results REALD ‐30 scores significantly increased, and PI scores significantly decreased for all subjects following participation in the programme ( p < 0.001, and p < 0.01, respectively). Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that neither study subjects' individual characteristics nor their health literacy significantly predicted the change in oral hygiene. Conclusion This study demonstrated that a community‐based geriatric dentistry rotation involving multiple interactions with dental students can in the short term significantly and positively impact older adults' oral health literacy and oral hygiene status.