Oral Health Program for VA Outpatient Clinics

One in 4 adults in the United States have untreated oral disorders, although these are easily preventable. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to integrate the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) into the care provided at Veteran Affairs outpatient clinics to increase oral health exams. Using a pretest–posttest design, veterans’ satisfaction increased from 1 patient (14%) noting satisfaction at preintervention and all 7 patients (100%) reporting satisfaction with oral exams at postintervention, an 86% increase which was statistically significant (Fisher's exact P =.005).

Duke Scholars

Author Brigit Maria Carter School of Nursing