Achieving Oral Hygiene Programs in Healthcare - SOD

Course overview

Geriatric residents/patients are reported to experience more dental and periodontal disease, which may often lead to a decline in their quality of life and negatively impact their overall health, increasing their risk of oral-motor strength, mastication and consequential weight loss or obesity, low self-esteem, and reduced social contact. Subsequently, pain from untreated dental disease restricts the normal activities of daily life and disrupts sleep. More importantly, poor oral health is linked to systemic disease, as well as to the risk of malnutrition, ischemic stroke, carotid atherosclerosis, reduced glycemic control in diabetes, increased risk for aspiration pneumonia and/or Hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections. This course addresses multiple factors related to the oral cavity, from an analysis of the saliva and tongue to the development of periodontal disease and periodontitis. Research will be cited regarding the risks of poor oral hygiene linked to significant diseases, to include pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, nosocomial infections and dementia. Finally Evidence-based intervention will be offered for developing an oral hygiene program within the healthcare facility.