[The care plan in oral health care]

Dutch legislation and regulations regarding care plans primarily focus on long-term care, yet pay little attention to oral healthcare, even though essentially oral healthcare is long-term care as well. Therefore, it is advocated that oral care plans be developed, in which care objectives and -orientation are recorded, tailored to the patient s oral health status, preferences, and capabilities. Healthcare professionals are expected to act in accordance with the professional standard and medical-ethical principles. Four types of oral healthcare are distinguished: basic care, aimed at maintaining a healthy oral condition, timely identification of potential issues, and early intervention in cases of emerging pathology; intensive care, focused on improving oral health and/or restoring oral functions; pragmatic care, intended to prevent deterioration through minimal interventions; and symptomatic care, aimed at relieving symptoms in patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo treatment. Both care objectives and type of care provided must be documented in the patient s medical records.