The Oral Hygiene Instruction Card Program is a nationwide program that supports elderly living in long term care facilities in obtaining good oral health.
The OHI Card Program
Recognizing that the OHI Card alone could not fully address the complexities of oral health, we developed a Daily Oral Care Screening (DOCS), and during the screening process a thorough view of the oral cavity is conducted using a penlight, tongue blade, and appropriate PPE. Taking into consideration a person's oral anatomy and presented dental work they may have. Based on this assessment, a personalized daily oral care routine is created and summarized on the OHI tent Card. This card is instructed to remain on the bathroom countertop to serves as a daily guide for maintaining good oral hygiene.
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Our Program includes 7 support components that aim to extend optimal oral health to everyone. Poor oral health in nursing homes is a global issue, and we are committed to addressing it. Our training component enhances our international reach, with training available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and soon in Mandarin.
Contributing Problems
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23% of 65–74-year-old have severe periodontal disease. The risk edges higher as patients grow older, particularly those with poorly controlled plaque. (1)
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Daily oral hygiene decreases the risk of oral bacteria causing aspiration of pneumonia in hospitalized patients. Imagine knowing a patient’s oral condition prior to deciding to put on a ventilator in cases like COVID-19 virus. (2)
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Upon retirement seniors often lose their dental insurance. Only 2% of retirees retain dental coverage and many seniors incur high out-of-pocket dental expenses (5).
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It is financially difficult for patients to afford tools or refills needed to maintain a healthy mouth and lack of appropriate supplies is another barrier for the elderly living in NH. (4)
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Despite oral health being a modifiable risk factor for many adverse health outcomes in older adults, nursing home staff lack awareness of the health benefits of good oral hygiene. (6)
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Good dental health care daily can alleviate the many dollars spent on dental emergencies.
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Research says mouth care speeches is not enough, the training has to be a hands-on demonstration of strategies and tools, improving self-efficacy and facilitative behavior is what has been effective. (3)
Solution
What we do
We provide an efficient oral health solution for children and elderly that gets results!
The Program support components are listed below:
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​Share Program Connect with the community and educate the elderly about oral health.
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G-to-S Connect Academy Connect Geriatrics with Students to meet the oral health needs of elderly living in nursing homes and administer Oral Care Screenings and personalize their OHI Card.
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Research Committee Compile data using the Briers Facility Scoring System.
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Dental Referrals Program Connect local Dentist with residents who need treatment.
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SDF Program Sodium Diamine Fluoride; kills decay on contact and gets patients out of pain!
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GFS Program Geriatric Free Stuff for our seniors, they are already strapped for cash, and we get them FREE refills and dental aids to keep a healthy smile.
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Interprofessional Training The OHI Card Program Training that offers interprofessional training focusing on daily oral care of residents living in nursing homes where oral health is problematic.
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Telehealth Services is an option for D-Track trained individuals to extend screening services to those unable to do in person.
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Our training & telehealth services set us above the rest!
How we do it
Step one would be to introduce the program to the facility Administrator once agreed to a partnership. Then Home Office goes to work setting up the EVENT DAY by ordering supplies needed, gather a team, and schedule a date to visit the facility and provide each participating resident with a Daily Oral Care Screening (DOCS) and personalize OHI Cards for each. We then leave them with the Post Folder containing a dental aid refill guide, list of dental providers, list of residents needing dental treatment and much more! The most important thing is the facility is now in an active recall system.
Why we do it
LTCF have had the problem of poor oral health amongst this population for decades. Oral health is a very important part of overall health and oral disease prevention requires daily intervention and when done effectively a healthy mouth is attainable.
