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Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Aged care staff's experiences of 'Better Oral Health in Residential Care Training': a qualitative study
Ha Hoang1, Tony Barnett1, Greer Maine1
1a Centre of Research Excellence in Primary Oral Health Care, Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences , University of Tasmania , Launceston , Tasmania , Australia.
Background:
The The Better Oral Health in Residential Care (BOHRC) Training was rolled out to Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) across Australia in 2010.
Aim:
To examine aged care staff's views on the implementation of the BOHRC Training at their facilities; challenges that they faced in the provision of oral health care to residents and their training needs.
Methods:
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 20 staff across Tasmania. Interview data was thematically analysed.
Results:
Major barriers reported were a lack of time, competing priorities, workload and staffing issues. The majority of participants did not receive the BOHRC training directly. Participants preferred to have practical, 'hands-on' training delivered on site at least every 12 months.
Conclusions:
Oral hygiene training should be provided regularly to equip staff with knowledge and skills to overcome some of the challenges they face and to improve oral hygiene care provision to residents.
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