Extending Dental Care to Nursing Home Residents to Reduce Mouth Infections and Incidence of Pneumonia and Improve Diabetic Glucose Control

Summary

The goal of this study is to learn if dental infection control treatment delivered to older adult nursing home residents at their place of residence will result in : * improved dental health * reduced risk of pneumonia * better glucose control for diabetic patients compared to the pre-project dental and general health evaluations of residents and the pre-project facility incidence of pneumonia. Dental infection control treatment includes treating gum infections, stopping or slowing decay with fluoride, and assisting residents with effective tooth brushing and denture cleaning daily. Previous studies indicate dental infections can be inhaled and cause pneumonia or make diabetes worse. A shortage of dentists has limited care for nursing home residents. This project will allow dental hygienists and specially trained dental assistants to treat nursing home residents using telehealth methods (computers, cameras, internet, and telephone) to talk and work with dentists in different locations.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult \> 60 years of age residing in a nursing home or communal care setting;
* Review of Medical history results in an assigned American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Evaluation of Class II or III;
* Frailty Assessment of Low or Moderate using the Modified FRAIL Questionnaire;
* Consent is required for study participation, disease control oral healthcare, and access to medical records.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \< 60;
* American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Evaluation of Class IV or V;
* High frailty evaluation using the Modified FRAIL Questionnaire;
* Resident deemed behaviorally or physically difficult to treat by initial clinical assessment.

Conditions8

Locations1 site

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