Effects of Using Oral Health Care Model in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Elderly

Abstract

               This study was a quasi-experimental research. The objectives of research were to compare oral health care knowledge, the oral health attitudes, the oral health behavior and the plaque index before and after using the model of the oral health care in type 2 diabetes mellitus elderly. The samples were selected by the purposive sampling technique to include the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who served at Hankha Hospital, Hankha District, Chainat Province. They were divided into two groups: 30 patients who were provided with a routine model as the control group, and the other 30 patients who received the model of the oral health care as the experimental group. The developed model of the oral health care in type 2 diabetes mellitus elderly included health education about diabetes mellitus and oral health care, caries and periodontitis, care of their oral health, choosing the right diet, demonstrations and practice to clean the mouth property, oral check-up manually, to educate the family, and home visit. Data were collected using the questionnaire of the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior and the plaque index. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test. The results of this study showed that the experimental group’s mean score of the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior were significantly higher than before involving the program; and significantly higher than control group (p<0. 01). The experimental group’s mean score of the plaque index was significantly lower than before involving the program; and significantly lower than control group (p<0. 01)