Brushing up on oral care in PA/LTC communities

Residents in post-acute and long-term care (PA/LTC) facilities are subject to dental and disease-related problems because of the poor quality of oral hygiene and care they receive, states AMDA–Dedicated to Long Term Care. “An abundant body of evidence supports the view that oral cavity diseases contribute to disease burden and illness,” notes a recent AMDA release.

Because of the importance of good oral care and hygiene in maintaining health and quality of life, AMDA, in collaboration with the American Dental Association, has prepared Oral Health in the Long Term Care Setting Tool Kit,to inform, educate and encourage providers to develop programs and practices to improve oral health for residents.

Among the tool kit’s recommendations:

• Develop and maintain an institutional culture that values oral health and instills a facility-wide commitment to an oral health program.
• Integrate oral healthcare into the facility’s overall program of daily resident care.
• Develop and provide ongoing oral health training programs for new and existing staff.

The Oral Health in the Long Term Care Setting Tool Kit was created to provide members of the interdisciplinary team with the knowledge and practices to sustain an oral health program for the residents in their care.

The tool kit is available through AMDA’s online store at a cost of $75 for members and $95 for nonmembers. 

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.