รูปแบบการให้บริการทันตกรรมสำหรับผู้สูงอายุของโรงพยาบาลส่งเสริมสุขภาพตำบล ในอำเภอปางมะผ้า จังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอน

Abstract

Older people often experience oral health problems more frequently than other age groups, particularly with regard to tooth loss, which can significantly impact chewing efficiency and quality of life. Therefore, maintaining oral health and having access to dental services are crucial. However, it is often observed that the older adults face challenges in accessing dental services, especially in remote areas, due to travel difficulties and reliance on relatives for transportation. Health Promotion Hospitals, which are healthcare facilities located near one's residence, play a vital role in catering to the needs of the elderly. Unfortunately, many Health Promotion Hospitals in remote areas lack dental nurses, leading to a shortage of oral health services, such as in Pangmapha Health Promotion Hospital in the Pangmapha District of Mae Hong Son Province. Hence, this study aimed to 1) Investigate the model of dental services for older adults in Pangmapha Health Promotion Hospitals lacking dental nurses in remote areas and 2) Explore the components of dental services for the elderly in Pangmapha Health Promotion Hospitals lacking dental nurses in remote areas. This descriptive research utilized focus group discussions among stakeholders in remote areas across three Health Promotion Hospitals in the Pangmapha District, Mae Hong Son Province, along with the Delphi technique research. The aim was to gather consensus opinions from experts with knowledge or experience in the fields of geriatrics and dentistry, including public health officials from Health Promotion Hospitals, community health service centers in the Pangmapha District, Mae Hong Son Province, as well as officials working on policy in the District Health Office, District Hospital, and Provincial Public Health Office. Additionally, input was sought from a group of experts both within and outside the Mae Hong Son province. The results of this research study indicated that the model of dental services for the older adults in Health Promotion Hospitals lacking a dental nurse in remote areas should begin with fostering a positive attitude towards oral health care among the older themselves, with support from their families and communities. Establishing mobile dental service units in the area could be beneficial, potentially integrating these units with efforts targeting Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). In cases where this integration is not feasible, officials and village health volunteers in the area should develop management guidelines and provide appropriate information to the older before they visit the hospital to receive services. These initiatives aim to achieve the overarching health goal in the area, which is to enhance the quality of life for the older people.