Orofacial Pain in People with Dementia in Care Homes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Orofacial Pain in People with Dementia in Care Homes
IRAS ID
240889
Contact name
Elizabeth Sampson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
No Z6364106/2018/09/44, Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
Pain in people with dementia, especially those who are unable to self-report, is often underdiagnosed and therefore undertreated. One of the most prevalent types of pain in older people is orofacial pain. Oral health problems are one of the most important causes of orofacial pain. In people with dementia, oral health problems are more likely to be prevalentPoor oral health in older people in care homes can be associated with dehydration, malnutrition weight loss, and impairment of immune function. Good mouth care is a vital component of care in care homes, particularly in frail older people. Most oral health problems could easily be detected and treated by a dentist. Poor oral health and the presence of orofacial pain can have a detrimental impact on quality of life.
A quantitative cross sectional study will be conducted in UK care homes. A diagnostic tool, the OPS-NVI (Orofacial-Pain Scale for Non-Verbal Individuals) has recently been developed to diagnose the presence of orofacial pain in patients who are unable to communicate verbally. The aims of this study are to examine the presence of orofacial pain, observed with the OPS-NVI, the oral health status, and their influence on the quality of life in UK care home residents with and without dementia. As part of the validation of the OPS-NVI, the reliability and the validity of this diagnostic tool will be tested in this setting. Older people with and without dementia, living in care homes, will be recruited and the prevalence of orofacial pain, according to the OPS-NVI, will be measured. After the observation with the OPS-NVI, a brief dental screening will be undertaken.
Secondly, care home residents and family carers will be interviewed. The aim of this qualitative study is to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of residents with dementia and their family carers towards oral health, oral health care and dental services.REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0100
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion