An Interprofessional Educational Approach to Oral Health Care in the Geriatric Population

Abstract

An interprofessional educational approach was used to provide five in-service training sessions for all direct health care providers in a long-term care facility, and one half-day seminar/live webinar for community-licensed health care professionals. Content included presentations by five disciplines: (a) periodontist: oral-systemic relationship, (b) oral pathologist: oral pathology, (c) pharmacist: oral health-pharmacological link, (d) dietitian: oral health-dietary link, and (e) occupational therapist: providing and practicing proper oral hygiene. Significant improvement in posttest scores for the five in-service training sessions and the half-day seminar/live webinar was revealed in t-test results, representing an increase in knowledge gained. Approximately 80% of the 145 participants indicated that they would make a change in patient care. Findings indicate that the in-service training sessions and half-day seminar/live webinar supported development of the geriatric work force by utilizing an interprofessional educational approach which will assist in meeting the oral health care needs of the geriatric population.

KEYWORDS:

• dental
• education
• geriatric
• interdisciplinary
• interprofessional
• oral health

This program was made possible in part by Geriatric Training and Education (GTE) funds appropriated by the General Assembly of Virginia and administered by the Virginia Center on Aging at Virginia Commonwealth University (GTE 06-11). Lucy Corr Village, a continuing care retirement community located in Chesterfield County, Virginia, hosted the in-service training sessions and half day in-person seminar/live webinar. Support for the project was provided by the facility’s CEO, James R. Musgrave, Director of Marketing, Debra Marlow, Dental Clinic Coordinator, Patricia Bonwell, and all Lucy Corr Foundation board members. Appreciation is extended to the following presenters, panel members, and moderator respectively: Esra Sahingur, DDS, MS, PhD; John Svirsky, DDS, MEd; Ellen Byrne, BS Pharm, DDS, PhD; Kerry Williams, BS, RD; Breshae Adkins, OTR/L; Phyllis Bastone, RN, LHNA; Arline Bohannon, MD; Patricia Bonwell, RDH, PhD; Michael Hanley, DDS; and Pamela Parsons, PhD, GNP. A thank you is extended to the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) for hosting the live webinar on their website.