A delphi study on the feasibility of community-based oral function rehabilitation exercises and the dental hygienist workforce adequacy
10.11149/jkaoh.2024.48.4.201
- Author:
Yong-Keum CHOI
1
;
Hsiao-Ling HUANG
;
Ji-Hye YUN
Author Information
1. Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science and Genome-based BioIT Convergence Institute, SunMoon University, Asan, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2024;48(4):201-209
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:As community-oriented public health in oral healthcare for older adults becomes increasingly emphasized, research into community-based oral function rehabilitation interventions is emerging. This study examined the feasibility of community adoption of a previously developed oral function rehabilitation exercise program using an expert-crafted Delphi survey.
Methods:An eight-expert panel was formed to develop a Delphi survey instrument and conduct a survey based on the results of previous studies. To test the community applicability of oral function rehabilitation exercises derived from this systematic review, we asked questions related to ‘independent performance’, ‘education applicability for caregivers’, ‘facility program applicability’, ‘intervention methods’, and ‘outcome indicators’.
Results:Except for ‘pharyngeal exercise’ and ‘salivation exercise’, the five main exercises met the validity criteria for ‘independent performance’, ‘education applicability for caregivers’, and ‘facility program applicability’. The validity of dental hygienists as intervention providers obtained consensus from the experts with a CVR value of 0.75 or higher, an agreement of 0.75-0.85, and a convergence of 0.5.
Conclusions:The application of oral function rehabilitation exercises in a community setting is feasible, and the dental community should be willing to promote it so that it can be provided to many community-dwelling older adults in the future. In addition, the use of dental hygienists as intervention providers is appropriate. However, their training as intervention providers for oral function rehabilitation exercises may need to be strengthened.
