Part 1: The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) Overview
Components of a Best-Practice Geriatric Oral Health Model
- The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) is an assessment tool for dental screenings.
- A regular dental examination by a dentist is also recommended for all older persons.
- The OHAT will help to find and document any major dental issues that older persons may have.
- Complete the OHAT initially at a baseline time with older people that are new to your care.
- Complete again at 8 weeks and ongoingly as you decide what care is required for that individual.
Completion of the OHAT
Preparing for the OHAT
- Please wear clean gloves
- Use available natural and other light sources, such as a small flashlight
- No specific dental equipment is needed
Completion of the OHAT
| Person: Completed by: Date: / / |
At the top of the form, please write in the following:
- Name of the older person being assessed
- Name of the person completing the OHAT
- Date the OHAT was completed
OHAT Scoring
Scores - You can circle individual words as well as giving a score in each category
| Category | 0 = Healthy | 1 = Changes | 2 = Unhealthy | Category Scores |
| Lips |
smooth, pink, moist |
dry, chapped or red at corners |
swelling or lump, white/red ulcerated patch, bleeding/ ulcerated at corners |
For each category, write 0, 1, or 2 in the right-hand box, and make notes in the right-hand box if needed. You can also circle individual words.
| Total Score:
/ 16 |
Category scores can be added for a Total Score out of a possible 16. Any category in which a 2 is marked should be referred to a dentist. A total score of 5 or more should be referred to a dentist.
OHAT Scoring Categories
- Lips
- Tongue
- Gums and Tissues
- Natural Teeth
- Dentures
- Oral Cleanliness
- Dental Pain
Oral Hygiene Care Plan (Chalmers, 2004 for use by the Iowa Geriatric Education Center; reviewed by Marchini, 2016; Review 2023)