Collaborative oral health education to promote oral health care for a special population, older adults

Older adults are more likely to visit a health professional more often than a dental professional during the year. Nurses have an opportunity to assist with oral care assessments while taking health histories and to make referrals to dental professionals. The oral health needs of older adults are important for nursing students and nurses to understand. Information about the oral-systemic link of oral health to overall general health, dry mouth, problems with caries and dentures which lead to pain and problems eating, poor nutrition and weight loss problems are essential information regarding oral health needs of older adults. Collaborative oral health care education, utilizing a combination of nursing and dental hygiene faculty, has been found to significantly increase nursing student knowledge regarding oral health care.A positive impact can occur, including increased knowledge, skills, positive attitudes and promotion of oral health care for older adults regarding this collaborative education project. In addition to increased student learning, a survey of the former students, now registered nurses, reported continued use of skill sets and oral care materials for older adults. This presentation will discuss the findings of a collaborative oral health education project to promote oral health care, with an emphasis on older adults.