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. 2024 Jun;38(2):426-437.
doi: 10.1111/scs.13247. Epub 2024 Feb 22.

Use of oral health care services among older home care clients in the context of an intervention study

Eveliina Tuuliainen  1 , Annamari Nihtilä  1   2 , Kaija Komulainen  1 , Irma Nykänen  3   4 , Sirpa Hartikainen  3 , Miia Tiihonen  3 , Anna Liisa Suominen  1   5
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Use of oral health care services among older home care clients in the context of an intervention study

Eveliina Tuuliainen et al. Scand J Caring Sci. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Background: An increasing number of care-dependent older people living at home need external support to receive regular dental care.

Objectives: To investigate the use of oral health care services among old home care clients who participated in an intervention study focusing on oral self-care and nutrition.

Materials and methods: This study employed data from the multidisciplinary Nutrition, Oral Health and Medication (NutOrMed) intervention study with a population-based sample of 245 home care clients (74% female) aged 75 or more divided in intervention (n = 140) and two control groups (n = 105). The data were collected through interviews at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

Results: At baseline, 43% of participants reported visits to oral health care within the previous year. At 6-month follow-up, this proportion was 51%. In the intervention group, the corresponding figures were 46% and 53%, and in the controls 39% and 48%. Adjusted regression analyses showed that this change was statistically significant (p = 0.008). In addition, higher education and toothache or other discomfort related to teeth or dentures at baseline were associated with increased use after the 6-month follow-up (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.0-1.2; OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.5-7.9) but being edentulous indicated the opposite (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1-0.4). Belonging to the intervention group was not associated with increased use.

Conclusions: In older adults, any efforts to raise awareness of oral health are of great potential to increase use of services.

Keywords: home care clients; intervention; oral health; oral health care services.

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