The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile and the oral health perception of caregivers for the elderly, who provide assistance to three benefit institutions in the city of Araçatuba, Brazil. A form was filled in by the interviewers in accordance with the answers given by 18 caregivers to questions about their knowledge of oral health. In relation to their educational background, 83.3% have a nursing assistant technical course qualification, whle 16.7% have no technical qualifications whatsoever. More than half of those interviewed (61.11%) reported that they started working out of necessity, not for any particular affinity with the profession.. As to their knowledge of oral health, we detected a lack of information, with most of the caregivers needing more clarification about the most prevalent oral diseases. Many of them (55.56%) believe that loss of teeth is part of the aging process. According to the results obtained, it was proved that caregivers need more information about oral health related to the elderly.
aged; caregivers; oral health