Smith Barbara J, Ghezzi Elisa M, Manz Michael C, Markova Christiana P
Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Gerodontology. 2008 Jun;25(2):89-98. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2007.00202.x. Epub 2008 Jan 14.
To determine practices and perceived access barriers (facility resources, attitudes and professional dental involvement) related to oral health by surveying directors of nursing (DONs) in Michigan nursing homes (NHs).
DONs are crucial to NH practice and policy, so understanding their perceptions of oral health care is vital.
A 27-item questionnaire exploring aspects of oral health was mailed to all 402 Michigan NH. Descriptive statistics were calculated for response items.
Facility response rate was 32% (n = 129). Sixty-three per cent of facilities had a written dental care plan primarily co-ordinated by nursing staff and social workers. Stationary dental equipment was available in 3% of facilities. Thirty-eight per cent stated an examination by a dentist was provided to new residents. Seventy-five per cent of residents identified as needing dental treatment were likely to receive it. Of the 28% of residents receiving dental treatment beyond an examination in the past year, 28% received emergent care. Over 50% of responding DONs indicated satisfaction with how oral hygiene needs were met in their facilities. The greatest perceived barriers were willingness of general and specialty dentists to treat residents at the nursing facility and/or their private offices as well as financial concerns of the resident and/or family. Generally, greater resources were available in urban facilities, but substantial barriers to care were uniformly perceived.
Oral health policies and practices within Michigan NH vary, as measured by resources, attitudes, and the availability of professional care. Dental involvement in policy creation, provision of consultation, and service is limited.
通过对密歇根州疗养院的护理主任进行调查，确定与口腔健康相关的实践及感知到的获取障碍（设施资源、态度和牙科专业人员的参与情况）。
护理主任对疗养院的实践和政策至关重要，因此了解他们对口腔保健的看法至关重要。
向密歇根州所有402家疗养院邮寄了一份包含27个条目的探索口腔健康各个方面的问卷。对回答项目进行描述性统计。
机构回复率为32%（n = 129）。63%的机构有一份主要由护理人员和社会工作者协调的书面牙科护理计划。3%的机构有固定的牙科设备。38%的机构表示会为新入住居民提供牙医检查。75%被确定需要牙科治疗的居民有可能接受治疗。在过去一年中接受过检查以外牙科治疗的居民中，28%接受了急诊治疗。超过50%做出回应的护理主任表示对其所在机构满足口腔卫生需求的方式感到满意。最大的感知障碍是普通牙医和专科牙医是否愿意在疗养院和/或他们的私人诊所治疗居民，以及居民和/或家庭的经济担忧。一般来说，城市机构拥有更多资源，但普遍认为存在重大的护理障碍。
根据资源、态度和专业护理的可及性衡量，密歇根州疗养院的口腔健康政策和实践各不相同。牙科专业人员在政策制定、提供咨询和服务方面的参与有限。
