The utilization of the Diabetes Oral Health Assessment Tool© for Nurses by Diabetes Nurse Specialists

Aim：To evaluate the utilization of the Diabetes Oral Health Assessment Tool （DiOHAT©） for Nurses by Diabetes Nurse Specialists（DNSs）in the clinical settings.
Methods ： A survey was done using self-administered questionnaire distributed to １３８ DNSs who signified continuing collaboration during the authors’ previous study. The DNSs answered the questionnaire after utilization of the DiOHAT© in the clinical settings.
Results ： Forty-seven DNSs responded（３４．１％）. The data revealed that items on cooperation with dental professionals（e.g., “regular dental visits” （８８％）, etc.）were frequently utilized, but those about oral function and self-care（e.g.,“checking one’s mouth with a mirror” （４０％）and “use of supplementary tools” （４４％）, etc.）were rarely utilized. However, over ６０％ of DNSs evaluated the DiOHAT© utilization version on the “nursing-process” and “collecting-information” as “possible” or “possible if revised”. Non-utilization of the DiOHAT© were due to insufficient time, and insufficient knowledge and skill.
Conclusion ： The results of the study revealed the need for DNSs to increase their knowledge and skill about the content and use of the DiOHAT© e.g. oral function, and self-care, and to examine the coordination and division of roles between DNSs and dental specialists to support the oral health care of patients with diabetes.