Saving senior smiles
Date
2022-04-15Author
Runyan, Mayci
Hess, Jaiden
Randolph, Delanie
Armstrong, Michelle
Advisor
Martin, Julie L.Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Runyan, Mayci; Hess, Jaiden; Randolph, Delanie; Armstrong, Michelle. 2022.
Saving senior smiles -- In Proceedings: 21st Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p. 10
Abstract
Purpose: Saving Senior Smiles is to educate caregivers and nursing staff on
the benefits of oral health for the older adult population. The project Saving Senior
Smiles (SSS) is to assist in meeting the Healthy People 2030 Objectives which are to
inform caregivers of the importance of proper oral care for their residents, teach them
oral care personalized for each resident, and inform them about the correlation between
oral health and systemic health.
Methods: This project was conducted to target the elderly adult population of an assisted
living facility located in Wichita, Kansas. A scholarly article search was performed
through PubMed. The search found statistical data from the National Center of Assisted
Living concerning age, gender, and socioeconomic status for this population. The method
of delivery included PowerPoint presentation delivered via zoom. This presentation
included a pre/posttest in order to measure the level of increased knowledge of the
nursing staff relating to oral health practices.
Results: The nursing staff had increased knowledge regarding personalizing care for each
resident and the importance of oral health on systemic health.
Implications: Further suggestions for study would include revisiting Agape in six months
to assess the resident’s oral health as well as investigating staff's knowledge and
implementation of daily oral health to their residents.
Additional Materials: Pie charts used to represent the demographics of SSS target
population.
Description
First place winner of a poster presentation for Applied Sciences at the 21st Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 15, 2022.