Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how adults may be supported in maintaining their oral health and to provide dental students with better knowledge of how the oral health of community living older people can be maintained and to make recommendations. Design/methodology/approach A pilot qualitative study involving eight dental students in three workshops in a Health Centre in South West London with 17 older adults whose ages ranged from 63 to 94 years with 82 percent female and 42 percent white. Findings For the older people, findings confirm previous research highlighting issues around prevention, delivery of care and access. However, other issues such as the use of fluoride and safety around tooth whitening were important. There was concern about the increasing privatisation of the dental service and problems in finding a dentist. For the dental students they valued time with older people and felt that they had a better understanding of them and research. Research limitations/implications The research was in one part of London and interviews were with only 17 older people. However, they were a mixed group in terms of age and ethnic origin. Practical implications These include the need to give older people more information and the value of simplicity e.g. through leaflets. Social implications Good oral health is important for physical and mental health and can help social participation and wellbeing. Originality/value Yes, this is original research.
IntroductionOlder people represent a growing proportion of the population in most high‐income countries. The impact of oral diseases on health and well‐being is far‐reaching, and future graduates should be able to meet their needs in this phase of life. This research tested the feasibility of involving dental students in direct community engagement to explore older peoples' oral health concerns and information needs.Materials and MethodsSeventeen older people were recruited locally to attend workshops with eight dental students in a health and well‐being centre. First, older people selected oral health‐related topics important to them, raising relevant questions and concerns. Students provided evidence‐informed feedback on these selected topics at a subsequent workshop. Participants (students and older people) reflected on their involvement (via questionnaires, discussions and personal reflections). Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The structure, process and outcome of the study were explored.ResultsStructure: Both students and older people were willing to participate in workshops. Workshops in the community facilitated active engagement between both groups without the constraints of clinics. Process: Students considered pre‐workshop preparations adequate but raised issues about their ability to manage ‘strong characters’ within discussion groups. Outcome: Older people welcomed the initiative. Important topics raised by them were addressed by students giving them advice on maintaining their oral health. Students reported an improved understanding of how older people can be supported and expected a significant impact on future practice.ConclusionStudent involvement in direct community engagement was welcomed by all, demonstrating the feasibility and positive impact of the design whilst highlighting issues of importance for older people's oral health.
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