Volume 7 • 2020 • Issue 7

Online Resources mouthcarewithoutabattle.org JCDA.ca Articles: • Changes in Oral Health and Treatment Needs for Elderly Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities Over 10 Years. jcda.ca/j7 • Dentists’ Views on Providing Care for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. jcda.ca/j8 • What is Being Taught to Canadian Undergraduate Dental Students About the Oral Health of Long-Term Care Residents? jcda.ca/k10 In the study’s introduction, Dr. Zimmerman and her team share other research that shows that many LTC residents who need help with daily oral health care do not receive it. In the U.S., 84% do not receive help with brushing, flossing or gum care. Often LTC staff members are rushed and lack the resources they need, so even when daily oral care assistance is given, it is not effective. Even with training and initial success, the study found that in the second year, there was a decrease in the efficacy of the intervention. “Sustainability of systemic change in long-term care is a challenge that other researchers have also found,” says Dr. Zimmerman. “For us, change from baseline peaked at 12 months and decreased at 20 and 24 months.” Howcan dentists help? “On the level of daily care, we know that if a physician writes an order for medical care, the care will be provided,” says Dr. Zimmerman. “Perhaps dentists can write an order for daily mouth care. We all need to advocate for daily mouth care to become a standard of care.” Reference: 1. Zimmerman S, Sloane PD, Ward K, Wretman CJ, Stearns SC, Poole P and Preisser JS. Effectiveness of a Mouth Care Program Provided by Nursing Home Staff vs Standard Care on Reducing Pneumonia Incidence: A Cluster Randomized Trial. JAMA Netw Open . 2020;3(6):e204321. S upporting Y our P ractice 37 Issue 7 | 2020 | osseo.org This meeting will feature three days of cutting-edge technology, proven techniques and the latest scientific research through didactic presentations and hands on workshops. A complete schedule is available online.