As the proportion of older adults in the population continues to grow the demand for services which facilitate healthy aging, including the maintenance of a functional and healthy oral environment, will increase. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of conducting an in-home oral assessment and providing client-specific education on the oral health status of older adults receiving home health care services. In addition, psychosocial attitudes of this population were assessed.
A convenience sample of 58 subjects completed a standardized interview questionnaire and received an oral examination. Subjects in the treatment group received information on their oral health status and specific oral care instructions. Approximately 10 weeks after the initial visit, a second in-home visit was conducted to re-assess oral health status and oral hygiene behaviors.
Findings indicated that the in-home oral assessment and education intervention had a positive effect on oral health status as measured by the Brief Oral Health Status Examination (BOHSE) instrument and on self-reported oral hygiene behaviors. No difference in oral health functional status as measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) was found between the treatment and control group. Significant correlations were also found between self-assessed oral health status and BOHSE and GOHAI findings and level of concern for perceived barriers to care and self-reported need for dental care and GOHAI findings.
The results of this study demonstrate that an in-home oral assessment and education intervention may improve the oral health status of older adults receiving home health care services.
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