The oral health of ageing baby boomers: a comparison of adults aged 45-64 and those 65 years and older.

Objectives: To compare the oral health status of adults aged 45-64 (baby boomers) and those aged 65 and older.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional survey of adults living independently in rural and urban settings in Nova Scotia, Canada was conducted. Using random digit dialing, calibrated interviewers completed a telephone survey, and clinicians calibrated to WHO standards conducted clinical examinations.

Maryland dental hygienists' knowledge, opinions and practices regarding dental caries prevention and early detection.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess Maryland dental hygienists' knowledge, practices and opinions regarding dental caries prevention and early detection.

Methods: A 30 item survey was mailed to 1,258 Maryland dental hygienists. Two follow-up mailings and email reminders were sent.

Oral health-related quality of life in an aging Canadian population.

Background: The purpose of the study is to describe the impact of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) on the lives of pre-seniors and seniors living in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1461 participants, grouped by age (pre-seniors [45-64] and seniors [65+]) and residential status (long-term care facility [LTC] or community). OHRQoL was measured using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14) in a random digit dialing telephone survey (for community residents) or a face-to-face interview (for LTC residents).

Action planning for daily mouth care in long-term care: the brushing up on mouth care project.

Research focusing on the introduction of daily mouth care programs for dependent older adults in long-term care has met with limited success. There is a need for greater awareness about the importance of oral health, more education for those providing oral care, and organizational structures that provide policy and administrative support for daily mouth care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the establishment of an oral care action plan for long-term care using an interdisciplinary collaborative approach.

Oral health status of long-term care residents-a vulnerable population.

Objective: To conduct an observational, cross-sectional survey of the oral health status of adults ≥ 45 years of age in rural and urban long-term care (LTC) facilities in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Methods: Residents capable of informed consent were recruited by LTC staff in a stratified random sample of LTC facilities. Calibrated personnel administered standard clinical and quality-of-life instruments.

Enhancing the quality of life in elderly women through a programme to improve the condition of salivary hypofunction.

Objective: The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of oral exercise intended to improve the function of the oral cavity in the elderly and their quality of life to pave the way for the development of oral-health promotion programmes geared towards the elderly.

Methods: The subjects were 78 female Koreans who resided in Seoul and were aged 65 years and older. During a 3-month period, an oral function promotion programme was conducted twice a week, between 10.

Assessing the oral health of an ageing population: methods, challenges and predictors of survey participation.

Objectives: To examine predictors of participation and to describe the methodological considerations of conducting a two-stage population-based oral health survey.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional survey (telephone interview and clinical oral examination) of community-dwelling adults aged 45-64 and ≥65 living in Nova Scotia, Canada was conducted.

Results: The survey response rate was 21% for the interview and 13.

Moving research knowledge into dental hygiene practice.

Dental hygiene, as an emerging profession, needs to increase the number of intervention studies that identify improvements in oral health outcomes for clients. Historically, dental hygiene studies have typically been atheoretical, but the use of theoretical frameworks to guide these studies will increase their meaningfulness. Rogers' theory of diffusion of innovations has been used to study research utilization across many disciplines, and may offer insights to the study of research use in dental hygiene.

From clinician to researcher--a first-hand account.

While teaching and clinical care may be somewhat intuitive, research is much less so, and a lack of research experience or opportunity to do research can be frustrating to the faculty member who is trying to become well-rounded. In an effort to ease the transition from clinical teacher to clinical researcher, the faculty of dentistry at Dalhousie University has developed a research mentorship program. The purpose of this paper is to report on the opportunities and challenges that 2 dental clinicians experienced when they participated in the pilot phase of an epidemiologic survey of the oral health status of seniors.

Oral and pharyngeal cancer: practices and opinions of dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Oral and pharyngeal cancers are associated with high mortality rates, a situation usually attributed to late-stage diagnosis. Dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia were surveyed regarding their practices and opinions related to oral and pharyngeal cancer. In February 1998 a pretested, 41-item survey was mailed to a random sample of dentists in British Columbia (n = 817) and the population of dentists in Nova Scotia (N = 423).

Oral and pharyngeal cancer: knowledge and opinions of dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Oral and pharyngeal cancers are largely preventable and can be successfully treated when diagnosed at an early stage. Dentists in British Columbia and Nova Scotia were surveyed regarding their knowledge and opinions about oral and pharyngeal cancer. In February 1998 a pretested 41-item survey was mailed to a random sample of dentists in British Columbia and the population of dentists in Nova Scotia.