Oral Hygiene for People with Dementia
Assignment 1
Evidence based practice
"Oral Hygiene for adults with Dementia"
-Introduction-
The purpose of this essay is to discuss a clinical skill or nursing action by referring to the nursing and allied health literature to explain and support evidence based practice. The skill I wish to examine is the practice of oral hygiene for adults with dementia in residential aged care facilities. In this essay I aim to provide the reader with adequate references to support the best practice for oral hygiene for people with dementia.
-Evidence based practice -
Good oral health is important for a person's sense of well being and quality of life (Fiske, 2001). Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to pain, tooth loss, oral disease, dehydration and speech impediments. It can also affect self-esteem and the ability to eat and talk comfortably (Chalmers, Carter & Spencer, 2004). Behavioural problems in people with dementia can be caused by dental pain and problems (Chalmers, Carter & Spencer, 2004).
In concern with oral hygiene, as dementia progresses it may:
Reduce a person's oral hygiene care abilities.
Reduce their ability to communicate dental pain and problems to others.
Increase barriers to accessing dental treatment, including transportation, financial, and communication barriers.
Decrease older adults' and caregivers' recognition of the significance and consequences of dental pain.
Decrease older adults' and caregivers' perception of need for dental treatment.
Increase the use of medications for behaviour management (JBI, 2004).
According to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) the oral health of older adults with dementia is considerably worse than those of the non-dementia counterparts (AIHW, 2005). At the beginning of the study they found that tooth decay was present in just under half of the dementia sufferers compared to 15.5% for the rest of the population (AIHW, 2005) This went up to
Evidence based practice
"Oral Hygiene for adults with Dementia"
-Introduction-
The purpose of this essay is to discuss a clinical skill or nursing action by referring to the nursing and allied health literature to explain and support evidence based practice. The skill I wish to examine is the practice of oral hygiene for adults with dementia in residential aged care facilities. In this essay I aim to provide the reader with adequate references to support the best practice for oral hygiene for people with dementia.
-Evidence based practice -
Good oral health is important for a person's sense of well being and quality of life (Fiske, 2001). Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to pain, tooth loss, oral disease, dehydration and speech impediments. It can also affect self-esteem and the ability to eat and talk comfortably (Chalmers, Carter & Spencer, 2004). Behavioural problems in people with dementia can be caused by dental pain and problems (Chalmers, Carter & Spencer, 2004).
In concern with oral hygiene, as dementia progresses it may:
Reduce a person's oral hygiene care abilities.
Reduce their ability to communicate dental pain and problems to others.
Increase barriers to accessing dental treatment, including transportation, financial, and communication barriers.
Decrease older adults' and caregivers' recognition of the significance and consequences of dental pain.
Decrease older adults' and caregivers' perception of need for dental treatment.
Increase the use of medications for behaviour management (JBI, 2004).
According to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) the oral health of older adults with dementia is considerably worse than those of the non-dementia counterparts (AIHW, 2005). At the beginning of the study they found that tooth decay was present in just under half of the dementia sufferers compared to 15.5% for the rest of the population (AIHW, 2005) This went up to
References: Fiske, J. 2001, Caring for someone with dementia, viewed 31 August 2005 .. University of Iowa 2004, Iowa Geriatric education centre, viewed 7 Sept. 2005, .