Aged care facilities should prioritise oral health

Dental Association: aged care facilities should prioritise oral health

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) says they support an introduction of national protocols for dental hygiene care, and inclusion of oral care criteria as part of aged care facilities compliance with standards.

The University of Otago study showed people living in aged residential care, including with dementia, have dirtier and more decayed teeth.

Currently dental care is excluded from agreements between DHBs and aged care providers, leaving rest homes to manage oral hygiene care of residents on their own.

A training programme aimed at educating carers to look after residents’ oral hygiene care is run by NZDA with funding support from the Ministry of Health.

This training is offered to care staff by NZDA dentists who are also best placed to deal with residents’ complex treatment needs and extended medical histories.

“I really thank our dentist members because about 3500 care workers (that’s a huge number) have attended these sessions overall and the feedback received about the programme is excellent,” says NZDA, CEO, Dr David Crum.

However, Dr Crum points out this is just over 10% of the entire aged care workforce. While the training needs to be ramped up, something needs to be done about lack of incentives to improve oral health practices in aged care facilities.

“There is a lack of national protocols and policies for the provision of oral care assessments and hygiene care in New Zealand residential facilities. Without obligations of contracts it is simply not a requirement for facilities. Even the decision to attend the training is left to the carers themselves with little support from facilities.

“It’s vital that every resident has a medical plan. And it should be just as vital that each resident has a dental plan too. Without contractual obligations there is no requirement for facilities to prioritise oral health,” says Dr Crum.

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