Secure oral hygiene products for

residents’ oral health kits.

Develop a variety of oral health

protocols.

Promote the importance of daily oral

care among staff for the residents in their

care.

The oral health kit is based on the model

used @ Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg.

April & May 2014› In one Parkridge Centre neighborhood, Saskatoon Health

Region – Oral Health Program dental health educators* (DHEs) provided: Initial oral health assessments using the Oral Health

Assessment Tool (OHAT)

Plaque index scores for baseline data to determine an improvement or decline in oral health

Individualized daily oral care plans for each resident who had an OHAT

Hands-on instruction/demonstration of how to provide daily oral care for various residents

Referral and follow up of oral lesions or any untreated oral conditions

Referral to U of S DDS students for exams, complete treatment plans, hygiene, restorative procedures, extractions and recall/follow up

*one DHE involved is dually trained as a dental therapist and

dental hygienist which brings an additional skill set to this program.

• This resource was distributed to residents and

their families during the month of April 2014.

Next Steps

› DHEs trained Clinical Nurse Educators (CNE) and one Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) on how to perform the OHAT and daily oral care. The Better Oral Health in Long Term Care training module was used.

› Provided hands-on demonstration of daily oral care on the neighborhood with a variety of residents with varying dentitions and behaviors.

› In the future, CNEs and neighborhood champions will train Continuing Care Aides (CCAs)on how to provide daily oral care.

CNEs are using life-like mannequins with

oral cavities and teeth, to help staff

become comfortable and competent in

providing oral care.

October 2014

› Residents who were assessed in April/May

received their 6 month OHAT follow-up by dental

health educators and the neighborhood

champions.

› Plaque indices for comparison data were

completed on all residents with natural teeth.

› Any reported lesion for follow-up/observation

was re-assessed for resolution and re-referred if

resolution had not occurred.

October 2014 – continued› All individual oral care plans were updated and tooth

brushes and perivex were replaced if required.

› Any resident who did not have a daily oral care plan in their washroom was provided with one.

› Any toothettes or mouthwash found in resident’s oral kits were removed.

› Any resident requiring follow-up for an oral lesion was referred to CNE and Care Team Manager on the neighbourhood.

› Chart audits were performed by DHEs. Several ParkridgeCentre residents had been seen by the U of S DDS residents. Many had received exams and hygiene treatment and/or will receive complete treatment plans and restorative treatment and/or hygiene follow-up in the future.

Our 2 oral health champions were

nominated for a Bravo Award for the

work they have done at Parkridge

Centre in regard to the LTC oral care

pilot project!!

Jenni Smith & Lydia Spence

Continuous adjustments are being made to policy, processes, training and resources as required, until everything flows well.

CNEs will continue adding new neighborhoods and training front-line staff, until daily oral care is fully implemented at Parkridge Centre.

Each neighborhood will have two or more dedicated oral health champions depending on the number of residents residing in each neighborhood.

Thank you for your attention.