1. The Value of Oral Health: Nursing Challenges and Perspectives Oral Health in the New Age of Aging – Perspectives on Epigenetics, Gerontology, and Chronic Disease Oregon Oral Health Coalitions 10th Annual Fall Conference October 2,2015 Patricia Berry, PhD, RN, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN Professor & Director, Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence at OHSU

2. What nurses and nursing students are taught about oral health….to this day Absolutely Seriously.

3. Why? Limited research (until now) on the importance of oral health For nursing, the shift from oral care as personal care/grooming to preventive health care Not considered a “high- level” nursing function Importance of interdisciplinary / interprofessional teams in health care

4. Mouth Care Without a Battle Evidence-based best practices Recommendation of supplies with rationale Oral health assessment Step-by-step guide Evidence-based guide for dealing with resistive behaviors http://www.mouthcarewit houtabattle.org/ Zimmerman, S., Sloane, P.D., Cohen, L.W. & Barrick, A.L. (2014). Changing the culture of mouth care: Mouth Care Without a Battle. The Gerontologist, 54(S1), S25-S34.

5. In summary…. Most health care professionals, especially nursing are poorly educated/trained in oral care The importance of oral health is not an emphasis in most health care provider education programs Collaborative, interprofessional team-based care is essential in the care of older adults