Abstract
PurposeTo determine the characteristics of the caregivers, their training and role in oral health care practices of the dependent elderly in a Domiciliary Care Program, Commune of Providencia. MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted on a randomised sample of elderly individuals, who were part of the Domiciliary Care Program in the Commune of Providencia, Santiago, Chile. A questionnaire was used to determine the caregiver characteristics, their training in oral health care, frequency of oral hygiene, and difficulties in carrying it out, as well as who performs the hygiene according to the level of dependency of the elderly person (Katz Index). ResultsMost (73.4%) of the caregivers have not received any training for oral health care. More than half (57,3%) of the caregivers have carry out the oral hygiene of an elder and the majority (82.7%) had difficulties to complete it, mostly the elder doesn’t allow other people do the hygiene. All elders with mild dependency perform their own oral hygiene but the majority of elders with severe dependency need help (7.9%) or the caregiver must do it (76.3%). ConclusionsIt is fundamental to improve caregiver training on oral health care of domiciliary dependent elderly people. When dependency increases, the role of the caregiver in oral hygiene is most important.
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 callMore From: Revista Clínica de Periodoncia, Implantología y Rehabilitación Oral
Disclaimer: 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.
