Resumo

BALWANTH, Sonam  e  SINGH, Shenuka. Oral healthcare provision at long-term care facilities in eThekwini: Perspectives of coordinators. Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med. (Online) [online]. 2023, vol.15, n.1, pp.1-10. ISSN 2071-2936.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.3884.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and impact of oral disease among long-term institutionalised residents highlight the need for a scale-up of preventive and promotional oral health services that include oral health education and training for caregiving staff. However, opportunities to improve oral healthcare services are met with challenges AIM: This study was undertaken to establish coordinator perspectives on oral health provision SETTING: Seven long-term care facilities in the eThekwini district, South Africa METHODS: An in-depth exploratory study was conducted with 14 purposively selected coordinators (managers and nurses). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and focused on coordinators' experience and perspectives on oral healthcare. Data were analysed using thematic analysis RESULTS: The following themes emerged from the study: A lack of comprehensive oral health care practices, inadequate support from the dental sector, insufficient oral health prioritisation, limited funding for oral health, and challenges associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). All respondents reported that no oral health initiatives existed. Plans for oral health training workshops presented with coordination and funding challenges. Oral health screening initiatives have ceased since COVID-19 CONCLUSION: The study findings indicated that prioritisation of oral health services was inadequate. There is a need for continual oral health in-service training for caregivers and support from coordinators in guiding the implementation of oral health training programmes CONTRIBUTION: It is envisaged that the findings of this study will bring about greater coordinator involvement and collaboration with the public and private dental sectors to improve oral healthcare at long-term care facilities

Palavras-chave : oral health provision; coordinator perspectives; long-term care facilities; caregivers; institutionalised residents.

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