Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Infusing oral health care into nursing curriculum: addressing preventive health in aging and disability
Joan Earle Hahn1, Leah Fitzgerald, Young Kee Markham
1Department of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, University of New Hampshire, 4 Library Way, Hewitt Hall Room 279, Durham, NH 03824-3563, USA.
Abstract:
Access to oral health care is essential for promoting and maintaining overall health and well-being, yet oral health disparities exist among vulnerable and underserved populations. While nurses make up the largest portion of the health care work force, educational preparation to address oral health needs of elders and persons with disabilities is limited across nursing curricula. This descriptive study reports on the interdisciplinary development, implementation, and testing of an oral health module that was included and infused into a graduate nursing curriculum in a three-phase plan. Phase 1 includes evaluation of a lecture presented to eight gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) students. Phase 2 includes evaluation of GNP students' perceptions of learning, skills, and confidence following a one-time 8-hour practicum infused into 80 required practicum hours. The evaluation data show promise in preparing nurse practitioner students to assess and address preventive oral health needs of persons aging with disabilities such that further infusion and inclusion in a course for nurse practitioners across five specialties will implemented and tested in Phase 3.
Related Concept Videos
Aims Of Nursing
Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching II: Planning and Implementation
Current Trends in Nursing I
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Preventive Healthcare Services
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...