Attitudes to oral care among caregivers in Japanese nursing homes

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate oral care practice and awareness of it among caregivers in Japanese nursing homes.

Methods: Caregivers were surveyed by means of a self-administered questionnaire designed to elicit the following information: awareness of oral care, its importance, the burden involved in oral care, and systematization of oral care.

Results: The results showed that most caregivers are adequately informed of the importance of oral care, but are inadequately educated in oral care and have little training in systematic oral care.

Conclusion: The importance of providing appropriate and systematic oral care training must be stressed among caregivers along with the need to develop equipment to simplify and support oral care.