ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPECTIVES ON INTERPROFESSIONAL ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS

摘要

The WHO has recognized the importance of older adult oral health as a global health issue of concern. Responding to the global call-to-action to improve older adult oral health, Lunder-Dineen Health Education Alliance of Maine and an advisory team have established MOTIVATE: Maine’s Oral Team-Based Initiative: Vital Access To Education project; an interprofessional, evidence-based, and sustainable educational model to enhance oral health care in long term care (LTC). MOTIVATE training curriculum was formulated based on a needs assessment study administered at six LTC pilot sites. Administrative staff (N=51) were surveyed to assess oral health practices, training priorities, and their relationship to organizational mission. Respondents indicated oral health training fits with their organizational mission as it relates to: 1) providing high quality care (98%); 2) advancing resident and family satisfaction (94%); and 3) embodying resident and family-centered care (90%). Barriers to the provision of preventive oral care included resident behavior (85%), lack of staff training (70%), and lack of access to an oral health provider (62%). Varying levels of knowledge of interprofessional care roles were reported with 26% disagreeing that every healthcare team member has a clear role in oral care provision. Staff do not generally receive oral health training at the start of their employment (57%) or follow-up trainings (68%) leaving room for additional oral health training in LTC settings. Recommendations include framing oral health in terms of its fit with organizational mission, the need to increase understanding of oral health interprofessional roles, and increase opportunities for LTC staff training.