Oral health care training for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities

<p>Purpose: This study explored the impact of an oral health care training program on caregivers’ knowledge of the oral-systemic link and confidence in the provision of oral health care for individuals with DD.</p> <p>Methods: This study used a mixed-methods design with a convenience sample comprised of 11 (N=11) licensed caregivers of developmental disabled employed by Mission Vista in Wenatchee, Washington. A one-group pre-test/post-test design measured the impact of an oral health curriculum on licensed caregivers’ oral hygiene knowledge and confidence in the provision of care to individuals with disabilities. Quantitative measures included the use of descriptive and inferential statistics to describe demographic data and to analyze pre-test and post-test data. Qualitative data was collected to assess caregivers concerns of their client’s oral health and assess knowledge of how to report oral health concerns. Qualitative data was also collected and assessed on how the training changed their own oral health habits.</p> <p>Results: Results showed a significant improvement in post-test scores compared to pre-test scores measuring confidence, (p =.025). Ninety percent of participants, (n=10) indicated they would take a more active role in providing oral health care to their client and they were very confident in evaluating their client’s oral health.</p> <p>Conclusion: An educational intervention program is an effective strategy for caregivers of individuals with DD to increase knowledge on the oral-systemic-link while also increasing confidence in providing oral health care. Thus, demonstrating that oral health services can be provided on a daily basis to individuals with DD could improve oral and systemic health.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS) in Dental Hygiene

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis: EWU Only

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Dental Hygiene

Year

2018

Author dc:creator

• Devaney, Tari

• Dental Hygiene
• Dental Public Health and Education

Statement dc:rights

• Access perpetually restricted to EWU users with an active EWU NetID

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.ewu.edu/theses/479

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.ewu.edu:theses-1479