2022 Volume 42 Pages 186-195
Objective: To examine oral care practices for improving the oral hygiene of older adult patients requiring nursing care who use visiting nursing services, considering their cognitive functions and family burden.
Methods: A three-round questionnaire survey using the Delphi method was administered to 32 people, who were dentists (including those specialized in oral surgery), dental hygienists, and home health care nurses involved in oral health treatment and care of older adult patients requiring nursing care.
Results: Approximately all participants participated in the three rounds (response rate: 96.8%). In the final round, the agreement rate was 80% or higher for 59 items across 8 domains. Of these, one item— the risk of recurrence of aspiration pneumonia—was at the “highest” consensus level, whereas a “high” consensus level was noted for the remaining 58 items, including techniques, handling of oral symptoms, and handling of participants with cognitive decline, for example, refusal of care.
Conclusions: The results suggest the need for support related to oral care preparation and techniques, handling of symptoms such as bleeding, handling the behavior of participants with declining cognitive function, such as refusal, and prevention of aspiration pneumonia.
