A qualitative study of oral health knowledge and attitudes among staff caring for older people in Dunedin long-term care facilities.

Over the next few decades, the number and proportion of older New Zealanders will increase, and many will retain their natural teeth. Many older people in care will be dependent on caregivers for their oral health care. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the dental knowledge and attitudes of staff caring for older people in Dunedin long-term care facilities. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from three facilities were recorded on audiotape and subsequently transcribed. The transcripts were analysed to identify themes expressed by the participants. Some of the staff reported poor oral health, and many were irregular dental attenders. Interviewees had a reasonable basic knowledge of dental caries, but were uninformed on many other dental issues, such as the benefits of fluoride and the effects of medication on oral health. All understood that oral health could influence general health. The staff had received very little education about oral health and related issues in their training. There is a need to improve the oral health care knowledge of long-term care facility staff. Incorporation of oral health care into in-service and formal training programmes would be valuable.