The perception of oral health among care staff in residential care organizations for people with disablities in Flanders (Belgium)

Abstract

AIM(S) People with disabilities in residential care often depend on care staff for their oral health. In 2018, a survey assessing the perceptions about oral health and oral care delivery was carried out among residential care managers and staff in Flanders. The current study aimed to assess the needs around oral health in residential care in-depth. METHODS Eight focus groups were conducted between November 2019 and November 2020 in three waves. Sampling of the waves was driven by findings obtained during the process. In the first wave, three focus groups were organized with predominantly (para)medical staff (e.g. nurses and speech therapists) of different residential care organizations. To also explore the perceptions of care staff carrying out daily oral healthcare (e.g. nurse aids and care workers), a second wave with three additional focus groups was conducted. Finally, findings were supplemented with two groups focusing on caregivers of home care organizations (third wave). All focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim in Microsoft® Word. Data were analysed in NVivo applying inductive thematic analysis. The study was approved by the Ghent University Hospital ethics committee under national registration number B670201941973. RESULTS A total of 39 participants were included in the study. Daily oral healthcare was performed by both care staff of the residential organization and caregivers of home care organizations. Deficient communication between all parties involved was found to be a barrier of care continuity. Furthermore, there were few opportunities for oral health education and skills training. Care staff also reported barriers visiting oral healthcare professionals (dentist/dental hygienist). CONCLUSIONS Care staff perceive barriers for both carrying out daily oral healthcare and referral to professional oral healthcare. Oral health promotion initiatives in residential care for people with disabilities should at least focus on these two aspects of oral healt