Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived comfort, behaviors, and barriers reported by group home caregivers while providing oral health care to individuals with special healthcare needs (SHCN). A 23-item survey was sent to 428 caregivers in two group homes in Iowa. Bivariate and logistic regression models were used to analyze data (p ≤ 0.05). The overall response rate was 32%. An analysis of the bivariate and multivariate logistic regression indicated that caregivers who felt more comfortable providing care for individuals who verbally and physically resisted oral health care had worked more than 2 years at their current location (p = 0.0323), felt "neutral to very comfortable" brushing (p = 0.0020) and flossing (p < 0.0001) the teeth of individuals with SHCN, and reported "sometimes to always" experiencing these individuals not opening their mouths (p = 0.0127). Comfort in providing oral care to individuals with SHCN appears to be linked to experience and length of time working with this population.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
