Generational Differences as they relate to the Oral Health of your Patients Speaker: Trisha Cloutier, Associate Professor in Dental Hygiene, CDA, RDH, BS, MA Course Details: Are you ready to deliver care to a vast variety of patients? In the 21st century you have the potential to be treating 5 generations of patients in your practice! It doesn t matter how little or how long you ve practiced, this course will help you recognize the physical and mental changes that are occurring in your patients. Learn ways to prepare for the diversity in the ages related to medical history, oral health assessment and treatment. Course Objectives: Discover fascinating differences between the generations and how those differences shape their views on oral health. Recognize the oral health needs of your patient as they relate to their medical history. Identity ways to assess, plan, and treat those needs. Examine current trends and how they relate to the future of your practice. CODA Competencies Met: 2-12 Graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for the child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient. Graduates must be competent in assessing the treatment needs of patients with special needs. 2-13 Graduates must be competent in providing the dental hygiene process of care which includes: comprehensive collection of patient data to identify the physical and oral health status; analysis of assessment findings and use of critical thinking in order to address the patient s dental hygiene treatment needs;
establishment of a dental hygiene care plan that reflects the realistic goals and treatment strategies to facilitate optimal oral health; provision of patient-centered treatment and evidence-based care in a manner minimizing risk and optimizing oral health; measurement of the extent to which goals identified in the dental hygiene care plan are achieved; complete and accurate recording of all documentation relevant to patient care. 2-15 Graduates must be competent in communicating and collaborating with other members of the health care team to support comprehensive patient care. 2-17: Graduates must be competent in providing appropriate life support measures for medical emergencies that may be encountered in dental hygiene practice. 2-18: Graduates must be competent in the application of the principles of ethical reasoning, ethical decision making and professional responsibility as they pertain to the academic environment, research, patient care and practice management. Canadian Competencies Met: A7. Evaluate clients health and oral health status using determinants of health and risk assessment to make appropriate referral(s) to other health care professionals. A15. Prepare to assist in the prevention and management of outbreaks and emergencies B12. Apply knowledge of common health risks to inform public policy, and educate practitioners and the public. C9. Apply the behavioral, biological and oral health sciences to dental hygiene practice decisions. C14. Convert findings in a manner relevant to clients using the principles of health literacy. D3. Identify populations with high risk for disease including oral disease. F2. Collect accurate and complete data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of clients.
F7. Discuss findings with other health professionals when the appropriateness of dental hygiene services is in question. F14. Provide recommendations in regard to clients ongoing care including referrals when indicated. H5. Collaborate with community, interprofessional and intersectoral partners to achieve health promotion goals for individuals and communities. H6. Select and implement appropriate health promotion strategies and interventions for individuals and communities. Canadian Competenies: A10. Design and implement services tailored to the unique needs of individuals, families, organizations and communities based on best practices. B2. Demonstrate active listening and empathy to support client services. E1. Promote actions that encourage shared values and work place respect. F3. Use professional judgment and methods consistent with medico-legal-ethical principles to complete client profiles. G4. Elicit information about the clients oral health knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and skills as part of the educational process. G5. Assess clients need to learn specific information or skills to achieve, restore, and maintain oral health and promote overall wellbeing. G6. Elicit information about the clients perceived barriers to and support for learning when planning clients education. G7. Assess the individual client s learning style as part of the planning process. G11. Select educational interventions and develop educational materials to meet clients learning needs. G15. Support opportunities to provide oral and health education to diverse individuals and groups.
Classroom Support Materials Discussion questions: 1. What are some oral health differences between the traditionalist patient and the baby boomer patient? 2. Discuss treatment planning and treatment options for each generation. 3. Investigate oral health products that will make the best treatment recommendations to improve oral health. 4. List and discuss the formative differences related to each generation and how that shapes their view on oral health. Discuss further how that view impacts the treatment plan. 5. Discuss Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs related to patient care while identifying the level of disease prevention needed to ensure the overall health of the patient. 6. Further define oral health conditions that could compromise the health of the dentition, periodontium, oral mucosa, and lips. Examples, xerostomia, dentin hypersensitivity, enamel decalcification, etc. Classroom activities: 1. Students can utilize texts and online resources to research the following topics: Demographic changes Economic globalisation Technology advancements Changes in delivery and infrastructure of Health Care system Cultural Diversity
2. Students could work in groups to explore these topics while evaluating the changes that will impact the future of their career. 3. Groups of students can locate relevant information on each generation to apply to the practice of dental hygiene. 4. Compare and contrast dental hygiene practice models and how they will impact the delivery of Health Care.
Exam Questions: 1. In 2017 the average Baby Boomer patient will be how old? A. 47 B. 26 C. 35 D. 61 Answer: D Rationale: The Baby Boomer patient was born between 1946-1964. 2. Due to changes in the delivery of healthcare, oral health professionals in the 21st century can be expected to be employed more in a A. privately owned solo practice B. privately owned group practice C. governmentally state funded clinic D. corporate setting Answer: C Rationale: With the increasing cost of sustaining a solo/group practice and the shift to a more social delivery of healthcare, the expectation may be to see more employed in government funded clinics. 3. It is important to perform a complete assessment of the dentition, the periodontium, oral mucosa, lips, tongue, and salivary glands on all patients. Which of the following patient population (s) will be most susceptible to xerostomia? A. Baby Boomers and Traditionalist B. Millennial and Traditionalist C. Millennial and Generation X D. Generation X and Baby Boomers Answer: A Rationale: Due to the many systemic changes and conditions that require Baby Boomers and Traditionalist patients to use many medications, often cause xerostomia.