A Survey on Visiting Nurses’ Oral Assessment and Healthcare Performance and Knowledge and Perceptions on Oral Implants

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate visiting nurses’ oral assessment and healthcare performances, their knowledge and perceptions on oral implants, and factors associated with their performances to determine problems and obtain materials that promote dental and nursing collaboration in home healthcare. A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among visiting nurses working at 312 home-visit nursing stations in Fukuoka Prefecture. A total of 66 (21.2%) visiting nurses responded to the questionnaire. The percentages of oral assessments and healthcare performances to their patients at home were 56.1% and 54.5%, respectively；>50% of them reported to have no knowledge of peri-implantitis/peri-mucositis and the need for post-treatment maintenance. About >60% of them answered that they could not assess oral implant superstructure abnormality or a loosened oral implant body. Their higher oral assessments and healthcare performances were significantly associated with higher knowledge and recognition levels of oral implants and higher awareness levels of collaboration with oral health professionals. Since >40% of home-care nurses did not perform oral assessments and healthcare procedures on their patients at home, their oral assessments and healthcare performances for the prevention and early detection of oral diseases and aspiration pneumonia among elderly people at home are expected to be further promoted. In addition, their low knowledge of oral implants and recognizing abnormalities suggested the need to provide visiting nurses information regarding oral implants. Information provision regarding oral implants by oral health professionals to visiting nurses and collaboration between them may further promote oral assessments and healthcare performances of visiting nurses, improve their ability to assess oral implant abnormalities, and promote their dental referrals.