Table 5 Frequency of response for each item evaluating participants’ knowledge of oral healthcare of older people
Statements | Strongly agree/agree N(%) | Neither agree or disagree N(%) | Disagree/ strongly disagree N(%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Smoking does not affect the oral health of older people with no natural teeth (F) | 14 (3.3%) | 11 (2.6%) | 391 (94%) |
Dry mouth problems are uncommon among older people (F) | 48 (11.5%) | 25 (6.0%) | 343 (82.4%) |
The presence of stringy saliva in the mouth of older people is normal (F) | 67 (16.1%) | 124 (29.8%) | 225 (54.1%) |
Fluoride toothpaste has no greater benefit than non-fluoride toothpaste for older people with natural teeth (F) | 35 (8.4%) | 131 (31.5%) | 250 (60.1%) |
A hard-bristled brush is better than a soft bristle brush for cleaning and removing plaque from older people’s teeth (F) | 32 (7.7%) | 85 (20.4%) | 299 (70.9%) |
Older people must brush their teeth immediately after having carbonated drinks (F) | 103 (24.7%) | 185 (44.5%) | 128 ( 30.8) |
Swabs containing lemon and glycerine should be used to clean the mouths of people who have no teeth (F) | 108 (26%) | 222 (53.4%) | 86 (20.6%) |
Denture cleaning solutions clean the dentures without you needing to brush the denture (F) | 38 (9.1%) | 66 (15.9%) | 312 (75%) |
Dentures should be taken out of the mouth at night (T) | 348 (83.6%) | 48 (11.5%) | 20 (4.8%) |
Cracked corners around the mouth can be treated with moisturiser (F) | 198 (47.6%) | 108 (26.0%) | 110 (26.5%) |
Bleeding gums while brushing do not require a dental referral (F) | 22 (5.2%) | 77 (18.5%) | 317 (76.2%) |
Older people without natural teeth only need a dental check-up when they have a problem (F) | 27 (6.4%) | 35 (8.4%) | 354 (85.1%) |
Cardiovascular problems can be associated with dental infections (T) | 289 (69.5%) | 112 (26.0%) | 15 (3.6%) |
People with diabetes have a higher risk of gum diseases and vice versa (T) | 344 (82.7%) | 60 (14.4%) | 12 (2.9%) |
Effective oral healthcare helps to prevent aspiration pneumonia (T) | 281 (67.6%) | 110 (26.4%) | 25 (6%) |