Championing Oral Health for General Health in Ageing Populations: Translation of a digital oral health screening platform in residential aged care.

Championing Oral Health for General Health in Ageing Populations: Translation of a digital oral health screening platform in residential aged care.

Aim: To implement, evaluate and customise an oral health screening program, including education and resident referrals using Smilo, a digital health platform in residential aged care.
Background: Oral health in residential care facilities in Australia is mostly provided by unregulated staff. Registered nurses oversee care and report a high incidence of dental pain and infection(1). Education of nursing staff is limited, and yet oral hygiene is a daily activity of living. Oral health screening tools in aged care are not available for general use. In Australia in 2019–20, around 67,000 hospitalisations for dental conditions, pain, and infection may have been prevented with earlier treatment(2). Older persons living with dementia have a greater risk of serious health problems including increased plaque, gingival bleeding, and mucosal lesions(3).
Method: A co-designed approach using participatory action research was used to implement and evaluate a digital oral health platform, Smilo in residential aged care. A mixed method approach included pre and post staff education surveys, oral health screening surveillance analysis and in-depth resident and family interviews.
Results: Data analysis revealed an increase in skills and knowledge of nursing staff in oral hygiene practices. Digital oral health screening enabled a traffic light system to care plan and refer residents to mobile dentistry and oral hygienist services. An increased awareness of staff, family and resident engagement in oral health practices was achieved.
Conclusion: The use of digital technology can improve oral health referrals and care plans. Registered nurse decision making with interdisciplinary teams of doctors, dentists and oral hygienists can be informed by digitally generated oral health reports. Staff education can enhance oral health hygiene practices. Residents can engage in oral health screening without leaving the facility.

1. Rodrigues L. da Cruz C., Vettore M., Ferreira R. A systematic review of measurement instruments for oral health screening of older adults in long-term care facilities by nondental professionals. Gerodontology. 2022.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (AIHW) AIHW. Oral health and dental care in Australia. 2022.
3. Hamza S., and Bokhari S. Oral health of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease: A review. Indian Society of Periodontology. 2021(2):96-101.