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AbstractAimsTo investigate what dental hygienists' practice characteristics and oral health topics are associated with additional time dental hygienists spent on educating patients with diabetes.MethodsA one‐page survey was mailed to 2237 registered dental hygienists in South Carolina. Survey questions focused on perceptions of dental hygienists regarding their oral health preventive education for patients with diabetes. After two follow‐up mails, we received 995 usable questionnaires.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression modeling showed dental hygienist respondents who spent additional time educating patients with diabetes about oral health felt they had adequately covered the topics on effects of periodontal disease related to diabetes, effects of uncontrolled diabetes on periodontal disease, and nutrition and dietary counseling. In addition, a higher number of patients with diabetes treated per week, and a shorter recall interval for patients were also associated with more likelihood of respondents spending additional time educating patients with diabetes.ConclusionResults suggest that the additional time that dental hygienist respondents spent on educating patients with diabetes was related to oral health issues associated with diabetes, not just repetition of routine oral hygiene and plaque control instructions.

ABSTRACTThis pilot study investigated the feasibility of delivering an individualized program of oral home telecare training using PC‐based, real‐time interactive videoconferencing via the Internet to meet the unique challenges of dental care for people with tetraplegia. A home‐based videoconferencing method was tested with two adults with tetraplegia and an occupational therapist (rehabilitation specialist). As part of the proposed rehabilitation training to improve independence in performing oral hygiene, adaptive devices (a rechargeable oscillating‐rotating power toothbrush and a cordless oral irrigator) were introduced to facilitate oral care performance with interactive, Web‐based instruction. Training was conducted once a week for 4 weeks. The oral home telecare experience was evaluated using a questionnaire and in‐depth interviews after the training. Both subjects were satisfied with the oral home telecare services and were enthusiastic about using the services without major difficulty after having previously experienced barriers to dental care. In addition to their positive perceptions about videoconferencing, the subjects suggested adaptations and identified unexpected potential uses for interactive videoconferencing. The use of interactive videoconferencing as a mode of oral hygiene training may lead to a change in oral hygiene service delivery methods, improving accessibility to geographically dispersed populations with tetraplegia. Oral home telecare offers strategies to decrease physical barriers and communication difficulties that correspond to recommendations to improve the quality of dental health services for people with tetraplegia.

ABSTRACTPurposeTo assess the test–retest reliability of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) in 3‐month intervals among people with systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsThirty‐nine adults with SSc completed the OHIP‐49 at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Intraclass correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), SEM%, coefficient of repeatability (CoR), and 95% limits of agreement (LoA) were used to assess test–retest reliability and measurement variability.ResultsThe ICC of the OHIP for the first time point (baseline to 3‐month) was excellent (>.80), and the second time point (3‐month to 6‐month) demonstrated good reproducibility (>.60). However, the large SEM, SEM%, CoR, and 95% LoA indicated that the OHIP was neither a precise measurement nor sensitive to change in response to interventions.ConclusionThe values of the ICC indicated that the OHIP scores demonstrated acceptable stability across each of the two 3 months' retest duration, supporting the reliability of the OHIP for group‐level comparisons. However, using the OHIP as a measure of an individual's oral health‐related quality of life in adults with SSc is not recommended.

ABSTRACTWe investigated the efficacy of plaque removal after an oral self‐care demonstration among adult Gullah‐speaking African Americans with diabetes. Fifty‐four adults with diabetes completed an observed, uninstructed oral self‐care demonstration with their normal mode of oral self‐care. Before and after the oral self‐care demonstration, the plaque levels of six test teeth were assessed using the Plaque Index. The mean percentage of plaque removal after the oral self‐care demonstration was 27.4%. The mandibular teeth and the lingual surface had less plaque removal compared with the maxillary teeth and buccal surfaces. Only approximately 10% of participants achieved 50% or more plaque removal after the oral self‐care demonstration. Thus, the majority of the participants did not achieve an acceptable level of plaque removal. Dental health professionals should emphasize better oral home care for people with diabetes and teach them how to access the lingual surfaces, especially of the mandibular teeth.

Introduction: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to examine the possession of low vision reading devices and factors associated with possession of these devices among residents living in a continuing care retirement community. Low vision reading devices are devices other than eyeglasses that aid in reading at near distances. Methods: One hundred and two usable questionnaires were received from residents, ages 65–97 years old, living in the independent and assisted living units of a retirement community. Results: Data indicated that 47% the participants reported having an eye disease, and 53% of the participants owned at least one low vision reading device. The two most common types of devices were handheld magnifiers (40%) and gooseneck lamps with or without a magnifier (26%). Of the 48 participants reported to have eye disease diagnoses, 65% owned a reading device. Forty-six percent of the participants reported having trouble with reading when performing one of the six daily activities even with their reading eyeglasses. The final multivariable logistic regression model indicated that participants who reported having trouble with reading in near distance were significantly more likely to own one of the reading devices. Discussion: This study identified a discrepancy between the high prevalence of visual impairment (i.e., blindness and low vision) among residents living in a retirement community setting and a relatively low number of residents owning low vision reading devices. Findings suggested the key factor contributing to residents' decision to own reading devices is their level of visual impairment. Implications for Practitioners: Knowing the factors to owning low vision reading devices, occupational therapists may assist residents in continuing care retirement facilities to obtain the appropriate devices.