Janssens Lynn, Phlypo I, Geddis-Regan A, Petrovic M, Janssens B
Gerodontology, Oral Health Sciences, ELOHA (Equal Lifelong Oral Health for All) Research Group, Ghent University, 1P8, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Special Care in Dentistry, Oral Health Sciences, ELOHA (Equal Lifelong Oral Health for All) Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
BMC Geriatr. 2025 May 10;25(1):323. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-06005-5.
Domiciliary dental care (DDC) is an established, safe and cost-effective alternative to standard care which can increase accessibility to professional dental care for care-dependent individuals. Qualitative research with care home managers has explored current practices and specific barriers to accessing dental care services: this has highlighted problems with dentist availability, accessibility and financial concerns. No research has explored reported experiences of DCC implementation in care home settings.
This study aimed to explore care home manager's perspectives and preferences on DDC following its wider implementation.
The study used a qualitative approach in a constructivist paradigm. Six semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with ten care home managers from a purposive sample of care homes participating in DDC. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Five major themes were defined. Care home managers preferred DDC to avoid logistical challenges and stress for residents, highlighting the need for on-site dental services. While they wished for reliable partnerships with locally based oral health professionals, this was seen as unrealistic due to their limited willingness to treat care home residents. DDC was valued for its accessibility and support, yet financial concerns were raised due to increasing costs associated with DDC. Managers also emphasized the importance of stable oral care teams within the care home; they noted, however, that this was difficult to achieve due to high staff turnover in long-term care.
Domiciliary dental care was widely accepted and appreciated by the care home managers in this study, but increasing costs presented a significant threat to its sustainability.
家庭牙科护理（DDC）是一种既定的、安全且具有成本效益的标准护理替代方案，可为需要护理的个人增加获得专业牙科护理的机会。对养老院管理人员进行的定性研究探讨了当前的做法以及获得牙科护理服务的具体障碍：这突出了牙医可用性、可及性和财务方面的问题。尚无研究探讨在养老院环境中实施家庭牙科护理（DCC）的报告经验。
本研究旨在探讨在更广泛实施家庭牙科护理（DDC）后，养老院管理人员对其的看法和偏好。
本研究采用建构主义范式下的定性方法。对来自参与家庭牙科护理（DDC）的养老院的10名养老院管理人员进行了6次半结构化面对面访谈，这些养老院是经过有目的抽样选取的。访谈进行了录音，逐字转录，并使用反思性主题分析进行分析。
确定了五个主要主题。养老院管理人员更喜欢家庭牙科护理（DDC），以避免给居民带来后勤挑战和压力，强调了现场牙科服务的必要性。虽然他们希望与当地的口腔健康专业人员建立可靠的合作关系，但由于他们治疗养老院居民的意愿有限，这被认为是不现实的。家庭牙科护理（DDC）因其可及性和支持而受到重视，但由于与家庭牙科护理（DDC）相关的成本增加，引发了财务方面的担忧。管理人员还强调了养老院内部稳定口腔护理团队的重要性；然而，他们指出，由于长期护理机构员工流动率高，这很难实现。
在本研究中，家庭牙科护理（DDC）得到了养老院管理人员的广泛接受和认可，但成本增加对其可持续性构成了重大威胁。
