An assessment of the oral health status of residents in nursing home facilities of East Tennessee

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the oral health status of a selected group of aged nursing home residents/patients and to determine their dental needs.

A secondary purpose of this study was to develop a dental health instructional in-service module that may be used as a basis for the nursing staff to assist residents/ patients in practicing daily mouth care and instruction of special techniques for meeting needs of those individuals in nursing homes.

The study was restricted to residents/patients of nursing homes in an eight county area of East Tennessee who were 65 years of age or older. The minimum number of elderly persons needed for this study was determined by applying the National Education Association's Small Sample Technique.

In order to insure geographic representation, samples totaling 226 were drawn from 15 licensed skill and/or intermediate care nursing facilities using a stratified proportional sampling.

An extra and intra oral examination and an interview were conducted on 226 individuals by the examiner to assess their dental needs. Results were analyzed by descriptive research methods and the use of the chi-square test for homcgeneity.

The major findings of the study indicated there was difference in the perceived needs of the residents/patients of nursing homes and the researcher. Additionally, there was a difference in the perceived needs of those having natural teeth and those having dentures.

The recommendations that follow are based on the findings and conclusions drawn from the study:

1. All individuals entering a nursing home should have a dental examination prior to entry and removable partial dentures and dentures should be marked for identification to prevent loss.

2. There should be a dental program implemented for residents to insure yearly examinations through coordinated efforts of public health dentists, local dentists, and dental hygienists. Portable dental equipment should be available on the premises to aid in oral examinations.

3. A dental health in-service program should be offered to all new employees and periodically to staff to assist them in meeting the dental needs of the nursing home residents/patients.

4. Studies should be conducted to assess the dental needs of nursing home individuals in the United States.

5. A study on the dental services available to the nursing homes in Tennessee should be conducted.

6. Studies should be conducted on the cost-effectiveness/

vii cost-benefits of dental services to the aged in nursing homes. 7. Medicare/Medicaid benefits should cover costs of emergency dental examinations and treatments and yearly dental examinations of nursing home individuals. 8. Nursing homes should provide transportation for residents/patients to private dental offices or other dental facilities to receive treatment.