Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Exploring residential care aide experiences with oral malodour in long-term care
Charanpreet Singh Dhami1, Leeann R Donnelly1
1Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences Faculty of Dentistry The University of British Columbia Vancouver BC Canada.
Aim:
To determine what experiences do residential care aides (RCAs) have with individuals living with oral malodour in a long-term care (LTC) facility?
Design:
Study investigation was done using an interpretive qualitative approach paired with a social constructivism interpretive framework.
Methods:
The study was conducted in May of 2015 through face-to-face interviews with RCAs, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim, observations of RCAs in their work environment, as well as RCA personal logs of their daily experiences with odour during caregiving. Thereafter, data were analysed and coded for emerging themes.
Results:
Five major themes were identified after grouping the codes: 1) attitudes and behaviours when caring for residents with malodour; 2)RCA knowledge of oral malodour; 3) level of job satisfaction among RCAs that care for residents with malodour; 4) culture and malodour; and 5) challenges of care giving compounded by malodour. These themes depict the overall experiences of study participants.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...

