5.21 Skills Checklist: Denture Care
- Gather Supplies: Gloves, denture brush, denture toothpaste if available, dentures, denture cup, denture cleansing tablet if desired, emesis/oral basin, oral swab, cup of water, clothing protector (towel), barrier (paper towel), sink liner (paper towel or washcloth), and linen bag or hamper. See Figure 5.26[1] at the end of this checklist for an image of an oral swab.
- Routine Pre-Procedure Steps:
- Knock on the resident’s door.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Maintain respectful, courteous, and professional communication at all times.
- Introduce yourself and identify the resident.
- Provide for privacy.
- Explain the procedure to the resident.
- Procedure Steps:
- Put on gloves.
- Place all supplies on a barrier.
- Place a clothing protector on the resident.
- Line the sink with a washcloth or paper towel.
- Remove dentures from the cup or remove them from the resident’s mouth and place them in the denture cup or emesis basin.
- Handle the dentures carefully to avoid damage or contamination.
- Wet the denture brush and apply denture toothpaste if available. Water alone is acceptable to clean dentures if toothpaste is not available.
- Thoroughly brush the inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of each denture.
- Rinse the dentures using clean, cool water and place them on a clean barrier or in an emesis basin.
- Rinse the denture cup.
- Place the dentures in a rinsed cup.
- Wet an oral swab and gently clean all surfaces of the resident’s gums and tongue.
- Allow the resident to rinse and spit into the emesis basin.
- Place the dentures in the resident’s mouth if desired.
- Wipe the resident’s mouth and remove the clothing protector, placing it in an appropriate container.
- In the evening, place the dentures in the denture cup and add cool, clean water to the denture cup to cover the dentures.
- Put a denture cleansing tablet in the cup, if desired.
- Rinse the equipment (denture brush and emesis basin).
- Return the equipment to storage.
- Discard the protective lining in an appropriate container.
- Remove the gloves, turning them inside out.
- Post-Procedure Steps:
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Check for resident comfort and ask if anything else is needed.
- Ensure the bed is low and locked. Check the brakes.
- Place the call light or signaling device within reach of the resident.
- Open the door and privacy curtain.
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Document and report any oral issues or changes noted with the resident.
View a YouTube video[2] of an instructor demonstrating denture care: