A scoping review and research synthesis on financing and regulating oral care in long-term care facilities

Oral health care for frail elders is grossly inadequate almost everywhere, and our knowledge of regulating and financing oral care in this context is unclear.

This scoping study examined and summarised the published literature available and the gaps in knowledge about regulating and financing oral care in long-term care (LTC) facilities.

We limited the electronic search to reports on regulating and financing oral care, including reports, commentaries, reviews and policy statements on financing and regulating oral health-related services.

The broad electronic search identified 1168 citations, which produced 42 references, including 26 pieces of grey literature for a total of 68 papers. Specific information was found on public and private funding of care and on difficulties regulating care because of professional segregation, difficulties assessing need for care, uncertainty on appropriateness of treatments and issues around scope of professional practice. A wide range of information along with 19 implications and 18 specific gaps in knowledge emerged relevant to financing and regulating oral healthcare services in LTC facilities.

Effort has been given to enhancing oral care for frail elders, but there is little agreement on how the care should be regulated or financed within the LTC sector.