A survey of level IV nursing home residents to assess dental care delivery preference
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Citation
Abstract
The over 65 year old population is growing rapidly. More people will be residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Dental care delivery is needed to meet the increasing requirements of this population. The purpose of this research was to determine if elderly residents of rest, retirement, or Level IV nursing homes have a preference for on-site versus off-site dental care delivery. In Massachusetts, nursing homes, rest and retirement homes are equivalent because they provide residential as opposed to skilled nursing care due to the limited nursing needs of their residents. Fifty residents of Level IV LTCFs located in the greater Boston, Massachusetts area were selected for this study using an 11 question "Mini-Mental State" screening examination (MMS) and a 21 question survey. The survey included questions on perceived need for care, location where residents received that care, and preference for location of care.
Data analysis included the generation of frequency distributions to determine subjects' preference for dental care delivery sites. The preference stated was for on-site delivery based upon reasons of convenience and lack of mobility. Of those residents who preferred on-site care, 83% resided in the facilities for more than two years.
Familiarity with their dental staff, desire to maintain autonomy and the perception of greater professionalism were factors cited by the residents who preferred off-site care.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1992 (Dental Public Health).
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-38).
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-38).
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This work is being made available in OpenBU by permission of its author, and is available for research purposes only. All rights are reserved to the author.