Introduction / Rationale
Stroke survivors face significant challenges in maintaining oral health due to mobility issues, dysphagia, cognitive impairment, reduced oro-muscular tone and requiring third party assistance. Poor oral hygiene can lead to systemic complications, including aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition, impacting quality of life. With an aging population retaining natural teeth, stroke survivors increasingly require dental care but encounter barriers to access. This project explores how occupational therapy (OT) can collaborate with special care dentistry (SCD) to improve oral, physical and mental health outcomes.
Objectives
- Identify oral health challenges for stroke survivors and caregivers.
- Develop strategies to improve access to dental care and oral hygiene practices.
- Integrate OT principles into dental care to enhance self-management.
Methods / Approach
A six-month study at an SCD clinic identified stroke patients using electronic records. Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index assessed dental health, while the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) measured functional independence. A patient-reported experience measure (PREM) questionnaire gathered qualitative insights on the impact of stroke on oral health.
Results / Practice Implications
Higher DMFT scores correlated with greater disability. Patients and caregivers reported significant challenges in oral hygiene. Key interventions included:
- OT-led training for dental teams on adaptive techniques.
- Personalised oral care plans for stroke survivors.
- Educational resources for patients and caregivers.
Conclusion / Significance to OT
This project highlights the role of OT in improving oral health, reducing barriers, and enhancing quality of life for stroke survivors through interdisciplinary collaboration. Following success of this project this information can be used to improve the quality of dental care to other complex patients such as those with dementia, neuromuscular diseases or learning impairments.