Caregivers' perceptions of electric versus manual toothbrushes for the institutionalised elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how caregivers feel about the use of electric vs. manual toothbrushes for the elderly in long-term care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After electric toothbrushes had been accessible in an institution for 15 months, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the nursing staff. The questions posed were whether the electric toothbrushes were being used, how much time was spent on brushing and if electric toothbrushes simplified the provision of oral care for the residents. RESULTS: The response rate was 79%. Of the 119 respondents, 78% replied that they always or frequently used an electric toothbrush. With regard to brushing times, 44% of the respondents reported that they spent less time on oral care procedures with an electric toothbrush than with a manual one. Equal amount of time for both types of toothbrushes was reported by 53%. Only 3% reported spending more time with an electric toothbrush than with a manual one. Oral care procedures were considered simpler with this device by 63% of the respondents, 22% registered no change and 15% found it more difficult. If patients suffering from dementia were considered separately, 45% found the procedures simpler when using electric toothbrushes, 24% registered no difference and 31% found it more difficult. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that when given the choice, the caregivers prefer to use electric toothbrushes rather than manual ones as they feel this is simpler and often less time-consuming.

[Oral care in the last stages of life]. / Munnstell når livet er på hell.

BACKGROUND: It is the responsibility of the nursing homes to provide residents with adequate oral hygiene. This article describes a new approach to improve the oral hygiene standards of the elderly in long-term care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The method was based on 1) the production of individual, pictorial oral care plans for each resident; 2) the patients receiving first-class dental care equipment (electric toothbrush, interdental brushes, prosthesis brushes etc.; 3) nursing staff receiving information on oral hygiene methods; 4) the introduction of a number of fixed routines at the nursing home. To assess the oral care in the group of elderly, the mucosal-plaque index was used. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: The evaluation was made before commencement of the study and again after 15 months. The evaluation showed that the introduction of this method significantly improved oral hygiene in 40 out of the 63 patients.