OHAT

Q: OHAT serves which purpose at the end of life care?

Answer: Oral care

OHAT stands for Oral Health Assessment Tools. Although many oral health assessment tools have been developed, the most commonly used and validated one is the Kayser-Jones Brief Oral Health Status Examination tool. it has 10 components that objectively examine the full oral health care. It includes 

1. Lymph nodes

2. Lips

3. Tongue

4. Tissue inside cheek, floor, and roof of the mouth

5. Gums between teeth and/or under artificial teeth

6. Saliva effect on tissue

7. Condition of natural teeth

8. Condition of artificial teeth

9. Pairs of teeth in chewing position (natural or artificial)

10. Oral cleanliness

Each category has three levels of a score, i.e., 0, 1 or 2

It can be used by any trained healthcare worker. If a patient score 1 or 2  in any category, a dentist or a physician should be referred. Tool is easily available from any internet search engine.

#end-of-life-care

References:

1. Kayser-Jones J, Bird WF, Paul SM, et al. An instrument to assess the oral health status of nursing home residents. Gerontologist 1995; 35:814. 

2. Everaars B, Weening-Verbree LF, Jerković-Ćosić K, et al. Measurement properties of oral health assessments for non-dental healthcare professionals in older people: a systematic review. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20:4.

3. Chalmers JM, King PL, Spencer AJ, et al. The oral health assessment tool--validity and reliability. Aust Dent J 2005; 50:191.

4. Chalmers J, Johnson V, Tang JH, Titler MG. Evidence-based protocol: oral hygiene care for functionally dependent and cognitively impaired older adults. J Gerontol Nurs 2004; 30:5.