Nurses need to brush up on the topic of oral care

Admission to hospital or nursing home is an excellent opportunity for older people to receive education and care about oral health but healthcare workers are often not well-informed on the topic. This study found that nursing home nurses are more likely to give advice about oral care than hospital-based nurses; 18 per cent from each group incorrectly thought that regular oral care was not needed for people who had no teeth. They also found that 17 per cent of hospital nurses and 9 per cent of the nursing home nurses did not know that dentures should be removed at night to prevent stomatitis and thrush. The vast majority of staff questioned thought that dentures could be supplied free to all pensioners on the NHS. The researchers concluded that a high level of education regarding oral care is needed if optimal care is to be provided.