Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Prasida Khanal, BDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Maintaining good oral health is even more difficult for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias due to cognitive impairment or caregiving-related challenges. To address this issue, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Oral Health Program developed a curriculum and five-evidence based educational models to train non-dental care providers in basic oral healthcare for older adults with a special focus on adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
This curriculum educates CHWs about common oral health conditions, oral hygiene skills, medical-dental care coordination, oral health literacy, cultural competency, aging, and other topics. The Oral Health Program also developed a flip chart that CHWs can use to educate family caregivers about the oral health needs of people living with dementia.
The MDH has educated dozens of health professionals and even more caregivers by delivering this initiative in a variety of ways. MDH trained 10 CHWs and 25 CHW students enrolled in a vocational school.
The purpose of the training was to improve CHW’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices about cognitive health and dementia and to improve their skills in teaching caregivers about oral hygiene for people living with dementia. Students at the school took the information learned from the program and developed an educational poster on aging and oral healthcare to display at the school’s health fair.
The CHWs recruited approximately 75 unpaid caregivers with Volunteers for America and trained them in oral healthcare for older adults, including adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
