Ethics in an aging society: Exploring influences and values on personal care pratices in the provision of oral health care for frail dependent elders

Meeting the health care needs of all Canadians is a central ethical concern. Significant lapses in care may even be considered a moral failing for a society that values healthcare as a social good. This research focuses on the ethical dimensions of oral health care for frail and dependent elders through an ethics of care lens. At present the oral health of frail, dependent elders is poor; this has serious implications for their overall health and quality of life. Planning for delivery of appropriate oral health care must be responsive to the experiences of those responsible for personal care work (family members and personal health workers). We will explore ways of supporting personal care givers in the delivery of mouth care by developing better institutional structures to address the oral health needs of frail seniors. A dynamic multidisciplinary team of researchers and end-users has come together to explore a broad spectrum of influences on the provision of daily mouth care in the realm of personal care. The involvement of end-users ensures that results of the study reach the most relevant audiences. Research following from this pilot study will ultimately inform policies and programs to promote better personal mouth care practices and will lead to effective strategies for improved training and institutional care planning.