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A survey conducted at Dunedin Hospital late last year showed the majority of nurses felt oral health care was inadequately provided to most patients, primarily due to time constraints and lack of staff.
By Eden Ross
According to the Last New Zealand Oral Health Survey, approximately half of aLL adults avoided the dentist due to cost and most attended only when they had a problem.1 Not surprisingLy, these peopLe had poorer oraL health, as did men, Maori and Pacific people and those who were socio-economicaLLy deprived^ Other groups with poorer oral health include those suffering from mental iLLness,2 adults with a disability,,, older aduLts Living in residential care faciLities and those receiving home heLp with activities of daiLy Living.4 The New ZeaLand DentaL Association has stated those with a number of medicaL conditions, greater use of medications and need for assistance have a higher risk of tooth decay, periodontitis and tooth Loss., There is a reaL concern for the future oraL heaLth of oLder aduLts who have their own teeth.
Overseas research has identified shortfaLLs in the oraL heaLth care nurses provide and in their training. It was noted 20 years ago that hospitaLised patients in EngLand received inadequate or no oraL heaLth care.7 OraL heaLth education was poorLy covered during nurse training in Sweden and was not given a high priority.6 Barriers to providing oraL heaLth care incLuded time constraints, patients not wanting to heLp themseLves, and concerns about patients' privacy and dignity. Nursing assistants gave oraL heaLth care a Low rating of importance and found it to be one of the most "repuLsive" aspects of their job.
In the United States (US), oraL heaLth education was found to be significantLy Lacking in nurses' training.8 RNs and nurse assistants showed an interest in Learning more about oraL heaLth care, pointing out that practicaL heLp from dentaL professionaLs wouLd be usefuL.8 Further research from the US reveaLed that oraL heaLth had historicaLLy not been a high priority in nursing practice.9 InterprofessionaL coLLaboration to improve oraL heaLth was needed.9 Nurses had unique opportunities to promote oraL heaLth and raise awareness of dentaL care in the famiLies of sick chiLdren.10 Other research discussed the various practice settings in which a nurse might be empLoyed and how...