"Oral care or mouth care is one of the most basic nursing activities. Keeping the mouth and teeth clean will protect a patient’s oral health and allow quicker recovery by preventing infections." "Nurses should be aware of risk factors associated with poor oral health and be able to assess and help patients maintain oral hygiene." (Maria Mona 2018)  Significance of Oral Hygiene on Health- It is an expectation by both clients and families that when entering a health care provider’s office, hospital, long-term facility or receiving care within the home, that the individual’s health care needs will be met; however, there is evidence that oral health care is not addressed to the same level as other care needs (Frenkel, Harvey & Needs, 2002)- taken from RNAO BPG on Oral Health.

Una Ferguson first studied and researched  oral health when doing her RNAO fellowship: Transferring Nursing Knowledge with the exemplar Oral Care. She taught oral health both during her 17 years in Continuing Complex Care and in her 17years in LTC mental health. Even though she is now retired she still advocates for good dental/oral care for the elderly and marginalized populations.  

Join the Staff Nurse Interest Group  Thursday the 29th September 2022  from 0730-830pm  via Zoom for Oral Care- We Can Change Practice!

Speaker Una Ferguson RN ( non practicing)