Development of oral health care model for the elderly towards access to dental services at Na Dun Hospital, Na Dun District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

This research aims to develop an oral health care model for the elderly towards access to dental services at Na Dun Hospital, Na Dun District, Mahasarakham Province. The research methodology is action research which is divided into 4 phases: 1) Analyzing the problem situation, 2) Development care model, 3) Model trial 4) Evaluation. The main target groups of the study were 130 elderly persons in Na Dun Sub-district Municipality and 10 model developers. Data collection instruments include a questionnaire about problems and needs and receiving oral health care services, a satisfaction questionnaire, group conversation record. Data were analyzed by number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis. The research results 1) The analyzing the problem situation phase found the continuous coordination of oral health care for the elderly in Na Dun Sub-district municipality was not a clear system. Participation in problem-solving is minimal. The elderly lack knowledge about oral health care. 2) Model development phase found that organized a team to develop a model for oral health care for the elderly in Na Dun Sub-district Municipality. There was a meeting of a multidisciplinary team to improve oral health care practices for the elderly in Na Dun Sub-district Municipality. Training to develop the potential of public health personnel on oral health care for the elderly. And the workshop used the 5S format: S1 ( brush teeth at least twice a day) , S2 ( brush teeth at least two minutes) , S3 ( two hours without eating after brush teeth) , S4 ( dental personnel visits twice a year) S5 ( promote no smoking, no drinking alcohol) . 3) The model trial phase applied the model to the dental work group at Na Dun Hospital 4) The evaluation phase found the satisfaction of dental services. There was clarification or information on the rules and procedures related to providing dental services at the highest level ( = 4.95, S.D. = 0.20), followed by the steps in providing dental services at the high level ( = 4.10, S.D. = 0.30). Overall, access to dental services was at a high level (= 3.78, SD = 0.46).