Premium
Preferences for and influences on oral health prevention: perceptions of directors of nursing
Author(s) -
Johnson Teresa E.,
Lange Brian M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1999.tb01381.x
Subject(s) - medicine , oral health , nursing , oral hygiene , family medicine , oral health care , nursing homes , dental care , dentistry
Directors of Nursing (DONs) from 196 of 206 Nebraska long‐term‐care (LTC) facilities were sent a pre‐tested questionnaire. The aim was to assess available on‐site dental services, existing oral health education and prevention programs as well as future needs/preferences, and the influence of 10 factors in assessing and maintaining residents' oral health. Of the 196 DONs contacted, 126 (64%) participated. Only 36% of DON responded reported having on‐site dental services. DONs Indicated a preference for nursing staff (NS) oral health in‐service training over other educational and/or programmatic proposals. When asked to select the five most influential factors in assessing and maintaining residents' oral health in their respective facilities, DONs selected resident factors (mean, 2.8) more often than NS factors (mean, 2.2). DONs most often identified residents' (R) ability to perform oral hygiene (n = 99), R’ cooperation with OH assistance (n = 98), R’ interest in their oral health (n = 83), NS interest in R’ dental health (n = 70), and NS time constraints (n = 69) .