Better Oral Health in Residential Care

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Oral Health Care Team (OHCT) 

•Oral Health Professional (dentists, dental  therapists, dental hygienists, dental assistants 

and denturists) 

•Oral Health Coordinator (OHC) •Nurses •Care aides •Physicians 

Better Oral Health Care requires a TEAM  APPROACH 

• Oral Health Assessment Performed by licensed oral health professional on 

admission. On a regular basis and as the need arises  by oral health professional or trained nurses.  

• Oral Health Care plan Oral Health Care Team and residents develop an oral 

care plan

Oral Health Care Team will be responsible for 4 key processes 

Education and Training Program

Oral Health Assessment

• Daily Oral Hygiene Care aides maintain daily oral hygiene according to 

the health care plan. 

• Dental TreatmentReferrals for a comprehensive dental examination 

and treatment are made on the basis of an oral  health assessment. It is recognized that many 

residents may be best treated at the Long Term Care  (LTC) home. 

Oral Health Care Team will be responsible for 4 key processes 

• Educators’

portfolio 

• Professional Portfolio  

• Staff portfolio 

Portfolios 

Educators’

Portfolio

• Module 1 Good oral health is essential for overall health

• Module 2 Protect your resident’s oral health - daily oral hygiene

• Module 3 It takes a team approach to maintain a healthy mouth

Target population 

•Nurses •Care aides •Other LTC staff •Residents •Residents’

family 

Educators’

Portfolio

Education and Training Program

Good Oral Health is Essential for Overall Health

Quality of Life

Bad breath

Bleeding gums

Tooth decay

Self esteem

Speech

Ability to eat

Dental pain

Responsive Behaviour

Impact on General Health

Aspiration pneumonia

Heart attack

Stroke

Lowered immunity

Poor diabetic control

Common oral health conditions experienced by residents

Education and Training Program

Sore corners of the mouthAngular Cheilitis

Lips

Education and Training Program

Sore Tongue Glossitis

Thrush Candidiasis

Tongue

Responsive BehaviorEffective Communication

Talk clearly

Caring attitude

Right environment

Body language

Oral Health Care and Responsive Behavior

Oral Health Care and Responsive Behavior

Overcoming fear of being touched Bridging Modelling

Improving access

Hand over hand

Improving access to the mouthOral Health Care and Responsive Behavior

Distraction Alternative provider

Modified oral care techniques

• Mouth props • Modified soft toothbrush • Use of spray bottle 

Protect your Residents’ Oral Health

Protect your Residents’ Oral Health

Protect your Residents’ Oral Health

Oral Care Products/Resources

• Demonstrated utilizing various oral care  products.    

• Example:  • Gloves • Fluoride toothpaste (presence of Canadian Dental 

Association symbol denotes fluoride in toothpaste) 

• Visual education through videos 

How should these oral care products be made  available at the LTC homes? 

It Takes a Team Approach to Maintain a Healthy Mouth 

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Reflective practice 

Education and Training ProgramOral Health Scenario – Part 1

Oral Health Scenario – 1

Pre/Post Quiz

Posters 

Thank You