Golden Smiles: Ensuring Oral Health in the Elderly

Poor oral care correlates with an increase in systemic diseases such as aspiration pneumonia. Lack of education and oral care knowledge in caregivers raises the risk of poor oral care among elderly patients residing in long-term care facilities. A study investigated the results of an education program provided by speech-language pathologists for certified nursing assistants (CNA). Data pre and post oral healthcare knowledge education program was collected on 54 CNAs. Data on oral health of their patients prior to and subsequent to the education was also collected.