Construction and validation of educational technology in the format of a booklet on oral health and oral hygiene in the elderly

Abstract

This study aimed to build and validate an educational technology in the format of a booklet on oral health and oral hygiene guidelines for elderly people. This is a methodological research, carried out with 130 elderly employees from a public institution. The study was developed in five phases: literature review, situational diagnosis, booklet construction, appearance and content validation and usability evaluation. It was found that the majority of interviewees had satisfactory socioeconomic conditions; however, general health conditions indicate that 81.5% have a chronic non-communicable disease and 32.3% of elderly employees reported having changes in the oral cavity. Despite the data indicating that most elderly employees are able to understand their oral health needs and 100% clean their mouths daily. The results highlight that 25.38% of elderly employees do not usually go to the dentist and that of this group, 60.6% did not receive instructions from a dentist on how to clean their mouths. The analysis of the research data was relevant in the textual construction of the booklet that is focused on the prevention and promotion of oral health, which can provide changes in the habits, autonomy and empowerment of the elderly population.