Strategies for conducting dental examinations among cognitively impaired nursing home residents

Many nursing home residents have poor oral health and are in need of treatment. A major barrier to providing care is the difficulty of examining cognitively impaired elders. In two research studies, 625 exams were conducted on 181 nursing home residents, the majority of whom suffered severe cognitiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Special care in dentistry Vol. 16; no. 2; p. 46
Main Authors:	Kayser-Jones, J, Bird, W F, Redford, M, Schell, E S, Einhorn, S H
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-03-1996
Subjects:	Aged Aged, 80 and over Cognition Disorders Communication Barriers Dental Care for Disabled - methods Dentist-Patient Relations Diagnosis, Oral - methods Female Humans Interprofessional Relations Male Nursing Homes
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	Many nursing home residents have poor oral health and are in need of treatment. A major barrier to providing care is the difficulty of examining cognitively impaired elders. In two research studies, 625 exams were conducted on 181 nursing home residents, the majority of whom suffered severe cognitive impairment. Qualitative data collected during the course of these two studies revealed strategies that permitted examiners to conduct the examinations successfully, including developing rapport with the residents, providing a quiet environment, and enlisting the help of the primary caregiver. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among health professionals, especially dentists and nurses, is discussed.
ISSN:	0275-1879
DOI:	10.1111/j.1754-4505.1996.tb00833.x