Oral Care Program for Residients in Long-term Care Facility

Investigation of Effect on Oral Care Program for Residents in Long-term Care Facility

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of an oral care program on the oral hygiene for residents in long-term care facility.

The study adopts a randomized clinical trial design and utilizes a cross-over design. The main outcomes include assessments of oral health (Oral Health Assessment Tool, Oral Health Impact Profile, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index), tongue coating cleanliness (Tongue Coating Index), dental plaque and gum cleanliness (Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Gingival Bleeding Index), and swallowing ability (Eating Assessment Tool, Function Oral Intake Scale, International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Eating by mouth
2. Able to express fluently in Chinese after correcting vision and hearing
3. Normal hand functions
4. Able to follow instructions
5. Willing to participate in the study and sign the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unconsicous
2. Diagnosis of dementia and inability to communicate
3. Having a tracheostomy tube and nasogastric tube
4. Unable to move both upper limbs
5. Bedridden
6. Vulnerable populations (e.g., political, economic, or socially disadvantaged groups)