Modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) for Residential Aged Care: A Co-Design Protocol

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dental Public Health
• Qualitative Research Methodology

Background:

• Older adults in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) exhibit higher rates of poor oral health, impacting overall well-being.
• The current Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) has known limitations in its measurement properties for this population.
• There is a need for improved oral health assessment tools tailored to the RACF setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-design and develop a modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) specifically for use in RACFs.
• To identify barriers and enablers to optimal oral healthcare delivery within RACFs.
• To inform the development of training packages and implementation strategies for the M-OHAT.

Main Methods:

• A co-design methodology involving residents, caregivers, staff, and health professionals.
• Qualitative data collection through co-design workshops using interactive activities.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data using NVivo software and a template analysis approach.

Main Results:

• Development of a modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) through collaborative design.
• Identification of key factors influencing oral healthcare in RACFs.
• Insights into effective training and implementation strategies for the M-OHAT.

Conclusions:

• The co-designed M-OHAT is expected to offer improved usability and relevance for RACFs.
• The study findings will guide future phases focusing on training and implementation.
• Enhanced oral health assessment in RACFs is anticipated to lead to earlier detection and treatment of dental issues.