Survey of knowledge and practice of oral health and oral frailty among nurses involved in renal disease care

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent global health issue, with oral health complications, such as oral frailty and xerostomia, being common among affected individuals. Despite their critical role, nurses often lack comprehensive knowledge and practical skills related to managing oral health issues in patients with CKD. Therefore, this study aimed to survey nurses involved in renal disease care to assess their knowledge and practice of oral health and oral frailty and to obtain suggestions for future oral health measures for patients with CKD. Methods A web-based survey was conducted by sending a request via mailing lists to academic societies and organizations affiliated with nurses specializing in renal failure. The survey included demographics, 8 items related to knowledge about oral health and oral frailty in patients with CKD, and 13 items regarding the practice of observing oral health and oral frailty in patients with CKD. Knowledge and observation practices were assessed using a three-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was performed by using t -tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and χ 2 tests. Logistic regression analysis was then performed to examine factors related to practice. Results We analyzed data obtained from 361 nurses. Only about 30% of participants demonstrated knowledge regarding 2 of the 8 items, and similarly, only 7 of the 13 items were observed in the oral health assessment, indicating that both knowledge and observation were limited. The knowledgeable group demonstrated significantly greater age, years of nursing experience, years of renal failure nursing experience, and a greater total number of certifications in renal failure nursing. This group also had significantly higher percentages of practicing all 13 observation items. Multivariate analysis showed that for every additional piece of knowledge about oral frailty, the practice of all observation items increased. Conclusions Both knowledge and practice of oral health and oral frailty were low. However, increased knowledge was significantly associated with improved practices. Future efforts should focus on raising awareness of the oral health issues faced by patients with renal disease and establishing a comprehensive educational and healthcare system that fosters effective collaboration between medical and dental professionals for the care of patients with renal disease.