Evaluation of time and resources required for professional dental cleaning in nursing home residents

Abstract

Aim We aimed to describe time requirements and costs associated with professional dental cleaning (PDC) performed by a dental nurse in one German nursing home, and to reveal potential differences in required time for demented versus nondemented and mobile versus immobile residents. Methods and results We performed a retrospective, cross‐sectional analysis of treatment time and costs, including a transparent, easily adaptable path of action that allows implementation of PDC in nursing homes. Total mean (±SD) treatment time for one session per resident was documented, including differences in demented and immobile residents, and projected treatment costs (€/$) per resident. We found no differences in required time for one PDC (37 ± 11 minutes) in residents with or without dementia (P = 0.803) or, immobile versus mobile residents (P = 0.396). Mean projected treatment costs of PDC were €14.98/$17.07 per resident per cleaning session, resulting in total costs of €13.5 million ($15.4 million). Conclusion Cognitive status and mobility does not affect the mean time required to perform PDC by a dental nurse in nursing home residents. Main cost factor is working time of dental staff; consumable supplies have less impact. Our data may stimulate to include PDC as initial step toward implementation of long‐term oral hygiene strategies.

Zahnmedizinische Versorgung älterer Menschen: Chancen und Herausforderungen

“…Studien zeigen, dass das Pflegepersonal die Herausforderungen der Mund- und Prothesenpflege aus Zeitgründen und aufgrund fehlenden theoretischen sowie praktischen Wissens nicht ausreichend erfüllen kann [ 21 , 41 – 43 ]. In diesem Kontext sollten verschiedene Anknüpfungspunkte zwischen Pflege und Zahnmedizin in Aus‑, Fort- und Weiterbildung weiterentwickelt werden [ 23 , 44 – 46 ]. Die durch die gesetzliche Krankenversicherung finanzierten Kooperationsverträge zwischen zahnärztlichen Praxen und Pflegeeinrichtungen [ 47 ] ermöglichen den Zahnmedizinerinnen und -medizinern eine bessere Kommunikation und Darstellung der Mundsituation gegenüber der Pflege.…”