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Title: Experiences and preferences of nursing home residents on professional on-site oral healthcare in Flanders (Belgium). Authors: Janssens L 1, Janssens B1 Affiliation: ELOHA (Equal Lifelong Oral Health for All) research group, Gerodontology, Oral Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium Purpose: To evaluate the complex oral health intervention ‘Gerodent’ and to assess the preferences and needs of nursing home residents for their professional oral health care. Theory: Gerodent is a complex, long-term (6 to 11 years) intervention comprising preventive and curative components, including a mobile dental team visiting each participating nursing home every 6 months. Gerodent aims to offer accessible and affordable professional oral health care for care-dependent frail elderly. Quantitative research has shown a positive effect on the clinical treatment needs of the nursing home residents, and on the knowledge and attitude of the nursing staff. Methods: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with nursing home residents. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Findings: So far, 9 residents were interviewed (ages 82-98, 65% female). Residents were generally pleased with the oral care provided by Gerodent. If oral health problems should arise, they would like to receive care in the nursing home itself. Transport to a local dentist is difficult to impossible. The speed with which they can be helped and trust in the oral health professional are other determining factors. Residents rely mostly on nursing home staff and second on family to organise professional oral care. Discussion: Intramural professional oral healthcare is preferred by nursing home residents. This information is valuable at policy level and for the design of oral health services, as intramural professional oral healthcare is still not very common. |
