PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of oral care education on knowledge, attitudes & behavior of caregivers in oral care and oral hygiene for residents in nursing homes. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, the intervention group (n=27) of residents received oral care from intervention group caregivers (n=28) who had received 6 weeks of oral care education. The control group (n=27) of residents received usual oral care from control group caregivers (n=26). Data on knowledge, attitude, and behavioral change in oral health care by the caregivers and plaque index & halitosis of the residents were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 16.0. RESULTS: 1) Scores on caregivers' knowledge (p<.001) and behavior (p<.001) for oral care were higher in the intervention group 6 and 12 weeks. The caregivers' attitude (p<.001) score for oral care was higher in the intervention group 12 weeks. 2) The plaque index (p=.004) and halitosis (p=.002) of the nursing home residents were lower in the intervention group than the control group at 6 and 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Oral care education programs for caregivers are effective in improving the oral hygiene of elderly residents in nursing homes through enhancement of caregivers' knowledge, attitude, and behavioral change.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Attitude of Health Personnel ; Caregivers/*education ; Dental Care ; Dental Plaque Index ; Female ; Health Education, Dental/*standards ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nursing Homes ; Oral Hygiene/*nursing ; Program Evaluation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the quality of root canal filling performed by dentists and advanced dental trainees (ADTs) and the current level of continuing education in a dental teaching hospital.

METHODS2 043 cases, randomly completed by six dentists and eight ADTs over half a year, were divided into two groups. The quality of root canal filling was analyzed radiographically.

RESULTSThe overall percentage of the adequate root filling was 49.6%. The percentages of the adequate teeth filling and root canals filling (59.9%; 63.9%) by dentists were significantly higher than those (40.1%; 47.4%) by ADTs. In addition, the frequency of the adequate root canals filling by ADTs in the last two months (57.8%) was significantly higher than that in the first two months (40.0%), and the adequate filling rate by ADTs during the last two months was close to that by dentists.

CONCLUSIONSThe quality of root canal filling performed by dentists was adequate. There was a substantial improvement for ADTs in filling quality after six months training.

Dental Pulp Cavity ; diagnostic imaging ; Education, Dental, Continuing ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Periodontitis ; therapy ; Pulpitis ; therapy ; Quality of Health Care ; Radiography ; Root Canal Obturation ; standards

PURPOSE: This study examined the predictive factors enabling access to children's oral health care at the level of financial barriers, beliefs, and the provider. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 320 immigrant mothers of low-income families regarding their use of oral health services for children aged four to eight years old. Access to oral health care was measured with frequency of planned dental visits, continuity of care, and age at first visit to dentist. RESULTS: The mother took her child to the dentist at a younger age if she received referrals to a dentist from pediatrician. Regular dental visits were significantly related to household income, provider availability on weekends, and insurance coverage. The extended clinic hours in the evenings, and the belief in the importance of the child's regular dentist visits increased the likelihood of continuing care. The mothers perceiving a cost burden for the child's dental care were also less likely to return to the dentist. CONCLUSION: The available care delivery system, coordinated medical care, and health beliefs were among important predictors of the health service use. The study findings suggest need for culturally competent dental health interventions to enhance access to oral health care among particularly vulnerable populations such as low-income children in Korean communities.
Adult ; Attitude to Health/*ethnology ; Chicago ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clinical Competence/standards ; Continuity of Patient Care/standards ; Cultural Diversity ; Dental Care for Children/economics/*utilization ; Emigration and Immigration ; Female ; Focus Groups ; Health Care Surveys ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Health Services Accessibility/standards ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Hispanic Americans/education/*ethnology ; Humans ; Mexico/ethnology ; Mothers/education/*psychology ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nursing Methodology Research ; Poverty/economics/*ethnology ; Puerto Rico/ethnology ; Questionnaires