Improving the Health of Clients
Project Description
Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long-Term Care provided training and follow-up with case management staff to increase the visibility of oral health in the CARE tool assessment. The training was titled “Improving the Oral Health of Clients” and was delivered by a local oral health professional.
Post-Training Review
All comprehensive assessments completed by Case Managers between April 4, 2014, and May 30, 2014, were reviewed to determine:
- How frequently oral health issues/concerns were identified;
- How often oral health materials and supplies were distributed to clients for whom oral health issues/concerns were identified; and,
- How often referrals to dental care providers were discussed/made.
Results
The following are the results of this review:
- How frequently were oral health issues/concerns identified in the care assessment?
Oral health issues/concerns were identified in 78 of the 145 assessments reviewed (52%).
- How frequently were oral health materials/supplies distributed to clients for whom oral health issues/concerns were identified?
Materials/supplies were distributed to 11 of the clients for whom issues were identified (15%).
- How frequently were referrals to dental care providers discussed?
Referrals were discussed/made to 10 of the clients for whom issues were identified (15%).
Conclusions and Consideration
- Materials/supplies could have been delivered to a higher percentage of clients for whom oral health/issues were identified. (New target is 50%.)
- Oral health materials/supplies will be sent to all clients identified as having oral health issues/concerns during the review period but who did not receive materials/supplies during the home visit.
- Case managers will be reminded to bring oral health materials/supplies to distribute to clients during home visits.
- A second round of comprehensive assessment reviews will track the frequency of materials/supplies distribution.
- The agency will request additional oral health supplies/materials from Arcora Foundation and local oral health providers when needed.
- A common trend noted in the comment section of the CARE assessment was the lack of available dental professionals or clients stating that they have not seen a dentist for significant lengths of time.
Materials
PowerPoint presentation: Improving the Oral Health of Clients
Next Steps
- Continue working with case managers and the WDS Foundation to provide updated provider lists to clients.
- A survey will be distributed to all clients identified during the current review period to determine clients’ self-reported level of oral health and access to oral health care.
