Aged care staff perspectives on oral care for residents: Western Australia

OBJECTIVE: To determine manager and staff perceptions of oral health and dental service issues for residents in aged care facilities in the Perth Metropolitan Area, Western Australia. DESIGN: Focus groups and face-to-face semi-structured interviews with aged care facility managers and staff. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Personnel at 12 facilities (high-level and low-level care) located in the Perth Metropolitan Area participated in the study. Interviews were conducted with 14 facility managers. Focus groups and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 40 facility staff. RESULTS: Managers and staff had similar views regarding most issues. While resident oral health was considered important, regular oral care programmes were limited or lacking. In general, high care facility residents did not have regular dental checkups, while those in low-level care facilities usually visited their own dentist for checkups or treatment. Barriers to maintaining regular oral care included: resident noncompliance; financial concerns; lack of co-operation from family; mobility issues; and lack of interest from dental professionals. Suggested improvements to current services included regular on-site visits, staff education and specialised dental professionals. CONCLUSION: Residents face many barriers to maintenance of adequate oral health care, particularly those who are functionally dependent and cognitively impaired. There is an urgent need for appropriate oral care programmes for aged care residents, which include dentists with aged care experience and continuing education for facility staff. Any major programmes should be evaluated carefully.