title: Assessment of the oral health knowledge of healthcare providers in geriatric nursing homes: additional training needs required.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of oral health and training needs of health workers in geriatric nursing homes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Providing daily oral care to dependent elderly people is the best way to prevent oral disorders. Because there are no dental hygienists in France, health workers play an important role in providing oral care in nursing homes and should have correct and adequate knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health workers from 8 geriatric nursing homes in Puy de Dôme (France) completed a 58-item questionnaire. Oral health knowledge regarding dental decay, periodontal diseases, oral hygiene and denture care was assessed. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 99 health workers took part in the study. The total mean score was significantly different if health workers had received training in oral disorders (49.3 ± 11.7 vs. 43.9 ± 10; p < 0.05) or in the maintenance of oral health (50.5 ± 10.5 vs. 42.9 ± 10; p < 0.01). The mean scores obtained in the 'dental decay' subsection and in the 'oral and denture hygiene' subsection were the lowest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Geriatric nursing home staff need training in understanding the impact of oral health on general health. Theoretical knowledge of oral diseases has to be improved in order for health workers to understand oral hygiene procedures and to help them identify early oral disorders.
authors: Département Santé Publique, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Université Lille 2, Lille, France.|Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Catteau
authors: Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Piaton
authors: Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service d'Odontologie, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Nicolas
authors: Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service d'Odontologie, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Hennequin
authors: Centre de Recherche en Odontologie Clinique, Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|UFR Odontologie, Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice Cedex 4, France.|Pôle Odontologique, CHU Nice, Nice, France.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Lassauzay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003778:Dentures; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009909:Oral Health / Q000193:education*; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011313:Preventive Dentistry / Q000193:education; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: caregivers; education; elderly; nursing homes