Implementation and antecedents of oral care for older people in private enhanced housing units and nursing homes in Finland. The view of supervisor nurses
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Leena Palotie auditorium (101A), Faculty of Medicine, Aapistie 5A
Topic of the dissertation
Implementation and antecedents of oral care for older people in private enhanced housing units and nursing homes in Finland. The view of supervisor nurses
Doctoral candidate
DDS Hannaleena Jämsä
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Unit of Population Health
Subject of study
Gerodontology
Opponent
Professor Riitta Suhonen, University of Turku
Custos
Docent Anna-Maija Syrjälä, University of Oulu
Implementation and antecedents of oral care for older people in private enhanced housing units and nursing homes in Finland. The view of supervisor nurses
The number of older people is growing, and life expectancy in industrialized countries has been constantly rising. Impaired cognition and multiple morbidity among older people may deteriorate from their functioning in the activities of daily living, reducing their ability to cope at home and requiring residence in an enhanced service housing unit or nursing home.
The aim was to examine the daily organization and implementation of oral care as reported by supervisor nurses in private enhanced service housing units and nursing homes in Finland. The population for the quantitative study consisted of 245 supervisor nurses in Private enhanced service housing units and nursing homes belonging to regional state administrative agencies in five areas of Finland. The survey investigated the implementation of daily oral care and the diet provided in the units, and also the beliefs, perceptions and self-efficacy of the supervisor nurses regarding oral health.
The qualitative study was based on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 19 supervisor nurses at care units in six of Finland's largest cities and covered themes on diet, training for providing oral health care for older people, oral care equipment, the provision of oral care for residents, the awareness, attitudes and motivation of nurses, support for health and the quality of life, the significance of oral health in the unit and the role of a supervisor nurse in oral health care.
Oral care in housing units for older people was perceived as challenging. Attitudes towards it were good, but tooth brushing twice a day was not fully implemented. Units had sufficient equipment for oral care, and residents were assisted in its daily implementation. The nurses knew that good oral health improves the quality of life and can have a considerable impact on overall well-being. The supervisor nurses were responsible for oral health in the units and played a major role in organizing oral care, but they needed support and encouragement from dental professionals and would have liked to receive both theoretical and practical education in oral care.
The results can be used to develop oral care among older people and to improve nurses’ oral health education in terms of the nursing curriculum and in on-the-job training. Nurses look to their supervisors for support and encouragement in the implementation of oral care.
The aim was to examine the daily organization and implementation of oral care as reported by supervisor nurses in private enhanced service housing units and nursing homes in Finland. The population for the quantitative study consisted of 245 supervisor nurses in Private enhanced service housing units and nursing homes belonging to regional state administrative agencies in five areas of Finland. The survey investigated the implementation of daily oral care and the diet provided in the units, and also the beliefs, perceptions and self-efficacy of the supervisor nurses regarding oral health.
The qualitative study was based on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 19 supervisor nurses at care units in six of Finland's largest cities and covered themes on diet, training for providing oral health care for older people, oral care equipment, the provision of oral care for residents, the awareness, attitudes and motivation of nurses, support for health and the quality of life, the significance of oral health in the unit and the role of a supervisor nurse in oral health care.
Oral care in housing units for older people was perceived as challenging. Attitudes towards it were good, but tooth brushing twice a day was not fully implemented. Units had sufficient equipment for oral care, and residents were assisted in its daily implementation. The nurses knew that good oral health improves the quality of life and can have a considerable impact on overall well-being. The supervisor nurses were responsible for oral health in the units and played a major role in organizing oral care, but they needed support and encouragement from dental professionals and would have liked to receive both theoretical and practical education in oral care.
The results can be used to develop oral care among older people and to improve nurses’ oral health education in terms of the nursing curriculum and in on-the-job training. Nurses look to their supervisors for support and encouragement in the implementation of oral care.
Last updated: 6.2.2025