Abstract
BackgroundStroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease and is one of the world’s leading causes of disability. Maintaining good oral health is a challenge among those hospitalised after stroke. A multidisciplinary approach to oral care involving non-dental professionals can be beneficial in improving oral health outcomes for patients. The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of stroke survivors regarding oral healthcare across acute and rehabilitation settings.MethodsA descriptive qualitative approach was used. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. A framework analysis was employed to analyse the data. Patients who had recently experienced a stroke were purposively recruited across both acute and rehabilitation settings, at two metropolitan hospitals in Sydney, Australia. In total, 11 patients were interviewed.ResultsAlthough participants recognised the importance of oral health, few understood the link between oral and general health. Regular oral hygiene practices varied since having stroke, with a few receiving oral care assistance from nurses. Time, cost and lack of information were some barriers to accessing dental services, while supportive measures such as coordination of oral care, financial subsidy and nurse assistance were strategies proposed to support oral care practices amongst stroke survivors.ConclusionsThere is scope to improve current models of oral care in stroke. While stroke survivors understand the importance of oral care, an integrated oral health model with a multidisciplinary approach could improve health outcomes.
Highlights
Stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease and is one of the world’s leading causes of disability
Eleven stroke patients from the two hospitals admitted to an acute ward (Site 1 [S1], n = 5) or rehabilitation unit (Site 2 [S2], n = 6) participated in the study, after which the data reached saturation
The findings from this study have indicated that current models of care that seek to provide comprehensive oral healthcare for patients in the context of stroke are failing to meet the needs of patients
Summary
Stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease and is one of the world’s leading causes of disability. Up to 75% of patients may be unable to brush their teeth or maintain their oral health due to impaired cognitive and physical abilities [7]. Aspiration pneumonia is a lifethreatening, acute infection which develops after a large volume of aspiration is accumulated in the lungs. This aspiration often transports a significant bacterial load from the oral cavity or the upper gastrointestinal tract into the lungs, resulting in an infection that can deteriorate into pneumonia [13, 14]. Maintaining quality oral hygiene is a key preventive intervention for aspiration pneumonia and xerostomia
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