Perceptions of Program Directors and Educators Regarding the Adequacy of Oral Health Education in Nursing Assistant Curricula

Purpose: National data indicate that the oral health status of the aging population in long term care facilities (LTCF) is poor in the majority of cases. Nursing assistants are considered to be the primary caregivers of oral health care to elders residing in LTCF's. The aim of this research was to explore the perspectives among nursing educators and program directors on the adequacy of oral health education in nursing assistant curricula.Methods: This exploratory, cross-sectional study utilized a web-based questionnaire adapted, with permission, from a prior study conducted in 2009. The 17- question survey regarding the adequacy of oral health education, was e-mailed to 253 nursing educators and program directors in 71 locations in the New England area with an explanation of the study and a link to SurveyMonkey®.Results: Of the 253 surveys e-mailed, 100 surveys (n=100) were returned giving an overall response rate of 40%. Fourteen respondents (n=14) indicated that their program did not include oral health education in their curriculum and were excluded from the study. The remaining 86 participants (program directors n=26 and educators n=60) indicated that oral health education was included in their nursing assistant curricula. Respondents who reported spending more time on both didactic (P<0.001) and clinical instruction in oral health (P<0.001) were more likely to agree that the oral health care education provided in their program was adequate (P<0.001).Conclusion: The results indicate that the perception of nursing educators and program directors is that the level of oral health education within the nursing assistant curricula is adequate in preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed to provide oral health care to patients.