Mouth Care Matters
Mouth Care Matters (MCM) is a one-day specialty training in the area of oral care.
Practical Hands-On Skills and/or Demonstrations
MCM was originally designed for home care, hospice, and nurse aides; personal assistants; patient care technicians; and direct support professionals, but the program is also suitable for other health and long term service and support (LTSS) staff including licensed nurses.
Family caregivers may also benefit from the training. Taught by dental hygienists who are certified instructors, the program offers practical hands-on skills and/or demonstrations on how to provide the best oral care possible for Iowans of all ages and abilities.
Order Supplies
Purchase supplies to extend the messaging of Mouth Care Matters to everyday interactions. Put messaging at people’s fingertips to ensure good mouth care.
Classes and Training
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry has graciously donated their time and expertise to provide a NEW recorded Mouth Care Matters in-service that can be used as an introduction to the full program. Iowa CareGivers is teaming up with several community colleges, University of Iowa Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry, and the I-Smile Program, administered by the Iowa Department of Public Health to increase access to the one-day training. If you have general program questions, please contact Iowa CareGivers at information@iowacaregivers.org.
Reports and Evaluations
Read these reports and evaluations to learn more about the Mouth Care Matters project, lessons learned, efficacy of the program, and recommendations for increasing access to better oral care.
Cluster randomized control trial of nursing home residents’ oral hygiene following the Mouth Care Matters education program for certified nursing assistants
One of the most important things you learn in this program is