An app to support oral hygiene care: Increasing attitudes, knowledge, and confidence in identifying oral health problems among caregivers of persons living with dementia.

Abstract

To develop and pilot test an App to help family and paid caregivers perform high quality oral hygiene care. A prototype of the App was refined based on stakeholder feedback (e.g., dental care professionals, direct care providers, nursing home administrator, family caregivers). The refined App was pilot tested with 16 family caregivers and 15 paid care providers of persons living with dementia (PLWD). Participants completed a pre-test, watched an App demonstration, used it for 2 weeks, and completed a post-test. Surveys included both structured and open-ended questions. Phase 1 data informed the refinement of the App that led to high acceptability and usability by the Phase 2 participants. Both family and paid caregivers reported a significant increase in attitudes toward providing oral hygiene care to frail older adults (p=.05 and p=.02 for family and paid providers, respectively), knowledge about oral health and care (p=.01 and p=.02), and ability to identify oral health problems (p=.005 and p=.01). Additionally, paid caregivers reported increase in perceived support available in providing oral hygiene care (p<.001). Stakeholder engaged approach helped increase the acceptability and usability of the App that successfully increase caregivers' attitude, knowledge, and abilities in oral hygiene care provision.