Assessment of dental care training needs of direct service staff in intermediate care facilities for individuals with mental retardation

The purpose of this study was to determine the oral hygiene knowledge areas that should be covered in the training of direct service staff responsible for promoting the oral health of residents residing within Minnesota intermediate care facilities for individuals with mental retardation (ICF-MR). Additionally, the most appropriate modes of training, and time available per year for training were identified. After validating the survey instrument with a panel of 15 individuals, and conducting a small scale (n = 10) field study, the Direct Service Staff Oral Hygiene Knowledge Needs Survey was mailed to 313 ICF-MR program coordinators. Two facilities reported they were no longer ICF-MR's, thus were discarded from the population (n = 311). Among the 215 responses (69%), the total number of useable responses was 210 (68%).; A rational sort by a group of seven dental health professionals indicated that the 46 oral hygiene knowledge items belonged in the following six oral hygiene knowledge areas: (a) Definition of Terms; (b) Causes of Dental Disease; (c) Factors Affecting Oral Health; (d) Behavioral Techniques for Promoting Oral Hygiene/Oral Health; (e) Dental Disease Reduction and Prevention Methods; and (f) Oral Hygiene Adaptive Devices for Individuals with Physical and Mental Disabilities.; A Chi Square Analysis showed that 42 of the 46 oral hygiene knowledge items were deemed necessary to include in the oral hygiene training of direct service staff responsible for promoting the oral health of residents residing within intermediate care facilities for individuals with mental retardation.; Frequencies and percentages revealed the following information about the most effective/most feasible oral hygiene training modes, and time available within a one year period for oral hygiene training. The majority of program coordinators reported that the most effective training mode to enhance their staff's oral hygiene knowledge would be an inservice by a dentist or dental hygienist, and the most feasible method would be an inservice by a trained (in oral hygiene) staff member from their facility. The majority of program coordinators reported that there was between one and two hours within a one year period for their direct service staff to participate in oral hygiene training.