Challenges to conducting research on oral health with older adults living in long-term care facilities.

BACKGROUND: The challenges to conducting oral health studies involving older people in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) must be debated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate researchers' perceptions and experiences while conducting an epidemiological survey on oral health among older individuals residing in LTCFs. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted involving six researchers who utilized field diaries to record their impressions during data collection through interviews (older individuals (or their proxies), caregivers, and LTCF coordinators) and oral examinations of the older people participants. Additionally, researchers responded to open-ended questions about their experiences. The collected material was subjected to content analysis by two researchers. RESULTS: The themes that emerged from the analysis were institutional context, aspects affecting the operationalization of the study, and data collection oriented by the clinical-functional profile of the older people. According to the researchers' perceptions, LTCF coordinators demonstrated concern for the study's benefits for older adults and the preservation of institutional routines during the research process. Caregivers emerged as vital sources of information, guiding researchers in navigating the challenges posed by the physical and mental complexities of the older people participants, necessitating empathy, sensitivity, and attentive listening from the researchers. The organization of materials and a streamlined data collection process proved essential for optimizing time efficiency and reducing stress for participants and researchers. CONCLUSION: The researchers recognized the important role played by LTCF coordinators and formal caregivers, underscoring the significance of empathetic methodologies and streamlined data collection processes in mitigating the challenges inherent to research conducted within LTCFs.

Knowledge of teachers and students in physical education's faculties regarding first-aid measures for tooth avulsion and replantation.

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the knowledge of undergraduate students and teachers at all physical education courses in the city of Belo Horizonte (Brazil) regarding first-aid measures to be taken following tooth avulsion as well as the need for the preventative use of mouth guards. The sample consisted of 442 individuals (Group 1: 53 teachers; Group 2: 389 undergraduate students). Data collection was carried out with the administration of a questionnaire with both objective and subjective questions addressing definitions, first-aid measures in cases of avulsion and tooth replantation, together with an assessment of the use and indication of mouth guards. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The results revealed that 45.1% of the participants in both groups knew what a tooth replantation was. However, 91.6% judged themselves incapable of performing an immediate replantation. Among the overall sample, 45.9% has no knowledge on first-aid measures regarding tooth avulsion; sending the patient with an avulsed tooth to the dentist was the most often cited measure (42.3%). Immediate replantation was cited by 20.6% of the individuals in Group 1 and 5.9% of the individuals in Group 2 (P = 0.009). Regarding the storage medium, 17.1% of the individuals would keep the avulsed tooth in a dry medium. The majority of participants (58.3%) stated that the ideal extra-alveolar time for replantation was more than 360 min. Although 74% of the overall sample stated having knowledge of mouth guards, few reported making use or indicating the use of this piece of equipment. The present study revealed that the majority of teachers and undergraduate students of physical education courses do not have adequate knowledge regarding first-aid measures for tooth avulsion and do not use or indicate the use of mouth guards during sports activities.