Dental Hygienist Support Promotes Good Oral Health in Nursing Homes

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dental hygienist support on oral health and attitudes to oral healthcare in nursing homes for older people. Background: Studies in long-term care facilities have indicated that oral health is often unsatisfactory. It is important that nursing staff are able to assist dependent care recipients. Dental hygienist support has been suggested as valuable help. Material and methods: Two nursing homes were randomly selected for intervention and control. Interventions included weekly support from dental hygienists on oral hygiene procedures, prescriptions for individual oral hygiene procedures, and oral care organisational issues. The residents' oral health, measured by dental plaque levels, gingival bleeding and the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG), was evaluated before and after three months. Attitudes among the staff to oral healthcare were collected through a questionnaire.