How accurate is the assessment of certified nursing assistants on resident's oral self‐care function in three North Carolina assisted‐living facilities?

Aims To examine the association between the assessments of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) on resident's oral self‐care function and resident's oral hygiene outcomes in three North Carolina assisted‐living (AL) facilities. Methods and results Sixty‐five dentate AL residents were included in this secondary analysis. CNAs were asked to rate the AL residents’ overall oral self‐care function using a 6‐point Likert scale. Their assessments were then compared with the objective, performance‐based Dental Activities Test and the oral hygiene and gingival health measures. The analysis showed that nearly 90% of the participants presented with at least one untreated decayed or broken tooth. On average, nearly two‐thirds of the surfaces were covered by soft deposits (Debris Index = 1.83, SD  = 0.60). Generalized mild to moderate inflammation (Gingival Index = 1.51, SD  = 0.53) commonly presented on residents’ gingiva. CNAs were able to accurately identify the residents with substantial impairment in oral self‐care function, yet they tended to overestimate the oral self‐care function of residents with mild to moderate impairment. CNAs assessments were also not significantly correlated with residents’ oral hygiene measures. Conclusion CNAs failed to identify and provide assistance to AL residents with impaired oral self‐care function, contributing to poor oral oral hygiene in these vulnerable individuals.