J Korean Diet Assoc.  2011 Aug;17(3):243-258.

The Effects of Oral Health Care Education for Nursing Staff on Halitosis and Nutrient Intake of the Elderly in a Long-term Care Facility

• Park KA
• Choi-Kwon
• Park MS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an oral health care education program for care providers on the nutritional status of the elderly in a long-term care facility. This study was conducted at a long-term care facility located in K metropolitan city using a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. Fifty-four nursing home residents aged 65 years or older were assigned either to the intervention group (n=27) or the control group (n=24). The intervention group received oral health care from the care providers' intervention group, who provided oral health care for 6 weeks after 6 weeks of oral health care education. Data were collected from the control group and intervention group at the baseline 6 and 12 weeks after oral care education and were analyzed using SPSS windows 16.0. The halitosis was lower in the intervention group than the control group at 12 weeks (P<0.01). Body mass index of the intervention group at 12 weeks was higher than that at 6 weeks. Iron intake of the intervention group at 12 weeks was lower than that at baseline. At baseline, the intakes of riboflavin, folate, and potassium were lower than 75% of dietary reference intakes. In conclusion, an oral care education program for care providers was effective in improving the oral hygiene of nursing home residents, and dietary plans are needed to improve the nutritional status of them.

Keyword

oral health care education program; elderly; halitosis; body mass index; nutrient intake

MeSH Terms

Aged
Body Mass Index
Folic Acid
Halitosis
Humans
Iron
Long-Term Care
Nursing Homes
Nursing Staff
Nutritional Status
Oral Health
Oral Hygiene
Potassium
Riboflavin
Folic Acid
Iron
Potassium
Riboflavin