Hygienist helps transform dental care for the elderly

Ross was awarded a Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession grant to fulfill her goal of providing preventive care for residents of local memory care communities. X-rays, assessments, oral cancer screenings, cleanings and fluoride varnishes were provided to each eligible resident.

The project was dually devoted to training caregivers by giving them basic information about hands-on oral health care so they could maintain their residents’ daily oral regimens. The hands-on training was held with patients and their caregivers at three different times — morning, evening and before bedtime — for all residents with mild, moderate or advanced dementia.

To help maintain a daily oral care regimen, each participating resident and caregiver received an Oral-B power toothbrush as well as Crest and Oral-B Pro-Health products, including toothpaste, rinse and floss.

“This project was an enlightening experience on many different levels, from the interaction with the family members to the caregivers and patients themselves. It was a wonderful project for me and all who participated,” Ross said.

“We saw a mixture of oral health concerns from the residents, including poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, periodontal disease, gingivitis and ill-fitting dentures. Without the help of Crest Oral-B, we wouldn’t have been able to address these needs and help so many people.”

In addition to the patient services and caregiver training, Ross is producing a training video to be shared with health providers throughout the community. It will include photos and testimonials of patients who participated in the project.

This video will be given to all memory care communities visited by Mobile Dentistry of Arizona and will be used to instruct caregivers on oral hygiene tips and best practices when working with dementia patients at every stage of the condition.

“Over the past few years, through the Pros in the Profession program, Crest Oral-B has rewarded deserving professionals — as nominated by their peers — who truly make an impact on the oral health of others by supporting the causes important to them and their communities. As a recipient of this award, Ann continues to transform patients’ lives, and we are so proud to support her in this way,” said Dr. Veronica Sanchez, global scientific communications director, Procter & Gamble.

“We are honored to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the dental hygiene profession with such an inspiring professional.”

The Pros in the Profession grant furthers Crest Oral-B’s mission to support dental hygienists as part of its yearlong program celebrating 100 years of dental hygiene.