Nov 4th 2013

1. Oral Health in
Long Term Care
Update
November 4, 2013

2.  SHR
Pilot with LTC Oral Health Coordinator
(OHC) – Carol Karppinen resigned July
2013.
 College of Dentistry posted position and
individuals applied. Successful candidate
later changed mind.
 College of Dentistry has reposted LTC
OHC position.
 Once LTC OHC in place, will begin seeing
residents at Parkridge Centre and
Sherbrooke Community Centre.

3. Saskatchewan Oral Health
Professions,
supported by Vidya Shanmugam:
 Completed
Saskatchewan conversion of
oral health training resource from
Australia.
 Confirmed new title of resource:
Better Oral Health in LTC – Best Practice
Standards for Saskatchewan

4.  Requested
and received health
costs data related to Saskatchewan
costs for LTC residents hospitalized
with aspiration pneumonia
(information obtained from SHR
Population and Public Health –
Public Health Observatory).

5. Saskatoon Health Region:
 Has
signed licensing agreement with
Australian Health Authorities to use
resource.
 Supplies/materials
 Dental
are being ordered.
Health Educators will train front line
special care aides in 1 or 2
neighborhoods.

6.  Oral
Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) plus
plaque index to be done prior to
implementation. This will be repeated 4-8
weeks after implementation.
 Goal
is to extend focus testing to
Sherbrooke Community Centre and one
rural LTC home.
 Residents
and families to receive
educational/promotional material on oral
health.

7.  SOHP
recommendations, report, and
Better Oral Health in LTC – Best
Practice Standards for
Saskatchewan to be shared and
discussed with Saskatchewan
Ministry of Health in early 2014.
 SOHP
need to link with Canadian
Dental Association’s initiative
around access to care and LTC.

8. Mouth Care Without a Battle
 An
overview for administrators, policy
makers, and advocates for quality care.