Analysis of current nursing homes in Korea and to assess the role and prospect of dentists in comparison to Japanese long term care insurance system / 대한치과보철학회지

ABSTRACT

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The introduction of "The Long-term Care Insurance System"(a public nursing care insurance scheme) is scheduled from July in 2008. Lately, the importance of oral health care had increased. Introduction and establishment of the methodology (nursing care procedure) based on professional dental knowledge is inevitable. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to rouse recognition of the importance of dental care in the long term elderly care in nursing homes, with implementation of the new insurance law. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Visited two institutions for the elderly, Yudang Village and Sungjiwon located in Suwon city to investigate the present conditions in terms of (1) the detailsof the institution, (2) the activities concerning with dental care in the institution, and (3) the consciousness and recognition regarding dental care of the staffs. RESULTS: In two institutions, under the present conditions, oral cleaning (including the cleaning of denture) for residents was operated with no professional advices and limited professional dental care. It was found that there was very little awareness of aspiration pneumonia. The members of staff however, did recognizethe necessity of professional maintenance and management of oral care in daily nursing care, and that many residents hold dental problems. They were very eager in introducing the methodology (nursing care procedure) in dental care in nursing homes.