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Health Professional Students' Understanding Of Oral Health In Traumatic Brain Injury, Samira Omar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Oral health is a significant consideration in recovery following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) as it is associated with overall health. Health-care providers play an essential role in rehabilitation following TBI. Thus, using qualitative descriptive research and focus groups, this thesis examined the experiences and perceptions of eight final-year health-professional students in nursing, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology with respect to oral health in TBI. Results suggest that health-professional students lack a deep understanding of i) what constitutes oral health, ii) common oral health challenges that may be faced by persons with TBI, and iii) optimal oral care in persons …