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Iowa nursing facility oral hygiene (INFOH) intervention: A clinical and microbiological pilot randomized trial
Author(s) -
Marchini Leonardo,
Recker Erica,
Hartshorn Jennifer,
Cowen Howard,
Lynch David,
Drake David,
Blanchette Derek R.,
Dawson Deborah V.,
Kanellis Michael,
Caplan Daniel
Publication year - 2018
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/scd.12327
Subject(s) - medicine , attrition , oral hygiene , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , hygiene , protocol (science) , chlorhexidine , clinical trial , nursing , dentistry , family medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Purpose/aim The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate feasibility and gather initial data for a definitive study to test the clinical and microbiological effectiveness of a nursing facility (NF) customized oral hygiene protocol, intended to be delivered by dental hygienists and NF personnel. Materials and methods A convenience sample of 8 Eastern Iowa NFs was recruited, and each NF was assigned to one of three intervention groups: (1) control (current oral hygiene practice), (2) educational program only, and (3) educational program plus 1% chlorhexidine varnish monthly application. Demographic information, systemic health data, patient centered data, oral health data, and microbiology samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months. Results Recruitment response rates were 21% for NFs and 23% for residents. A total of 81 residents were examined at baseline and of those, 49 were examined at 6 months (39.5% attrition). There were no statistically or clinically significant differences among the intervention groups at 6 months for any of the recorded clinical or microbiological outcomes. Conclusions Recruitment and retention posed a significant challenge to this trial, even with a relatively short observation period. Results from this pilot study did not encourage further investigation of this customized oral hygiene protocol.