Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
October 2005
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Electronic ISSN:
1754-2758
Vol:
6
Issue:
2

A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care

Aim: To present an analysis of oral screening instruments within the Single Assessment Process (SAP) for older people and make recommendations for action in light of the oral health needs of older people. Design of the study: The literature was reviewed, policy documents appraised and key personnel consulted with respect to the oral health needs of older people, screening tools, the National Service Framework (NSF) and the SAP This resulted in the formation of the list of ideal requirements for an oral . health screening instrument within the SAP A search of the literature and contact with key individuals . providing a list of screening instruments which were then compared to the list of ideal criteria. Results a r e presented, and recommendations for action. Inclusion: Instruments found were reviewed descriptively. Supporting evidence of effectiveness presented. Setting: Current oral health policy for England which recognises demographic change, the introduction of a single assessment process and the oral health needs of older people. Results: Ten instruments (electronic and paper) were found, of which five formed part of recently created SAP screening tools. Different versions of the same tool exist. Five were stand alone instruments reported in the dental and grey literature. Issues explored included oral/ dental problems, dental visits, dental urgency and risk factors. Three studies reporting evidence of effectiveness related to one short question-based stand alone instrument, D-E-N-T-A-L, which showed high sensitivity and moderate to high specificity. Conclusions: There has been proliferation of oral health screening instruments for older people in support of health and social care policy, with limited evidence of research into their effectiveness. D-E-N-T-A-L is the only instrument with published evidence of its effectiveness; its inclusion in national and local instruments is recommended. Further research on effectiveness of screening instruments with a dental component is required, including their acceptability to older people and personnel. Key words: Older people, screening, oral, effectiveness, single assessment process

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
55
Page End
64
Authors
J E Gallagher, E A Lane

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial - A Time to remember
  2. 54
  3. 54

  1. A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care
  2. 55
  3. 64

  1. A review of screening instruments for oral health in older people – Multi-agency working across health and social care
  2. 55
  3. 64

  1. The effectiveness of different toothbrushes for people with special needs
  2. 65
  3. 71

  1. A report from an investigation of abnormal oral reflexes, lip trauma and awareness levels in patients with profound brain damage
  2. 72
  3. 78

  1. Teaching undergraduates Special Care Dentistry
  2. 82
  3. 88

  1. Comprehensive dental care for special needs children under day-stay general anaesthesia – treatment outcomes and post-operative morbidity
  2. 89
  3. 92

  1. Stock fit as an alternative to custom finger guard mouth props for examination and treatment of patients with special needs
  2. 93
  3. 97

  1. Book Reviews
  2. 98
  3. 99

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