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Updated: May 31, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Understanding Oral Health Management for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.
Jia Yin Ruan1, Xiang Qi1, Jin Su1
1Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
Gerodontology
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Managing oral health for individuals with dementia is complex. This review synthesizes qualitative evidence, revealing key themes and highlighting needs for improved continuity of care and dementia-friendly environments.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Dental Hygiene
Background:
- Individuals with dementia frequently encounter oral health issues, posing significant management challenges.
- Existing qualitative data offer insights into these challenges, but a synthesized evidence base is lacking.
- This study addresses the need for a qualitative evidence synthesis on oral health management for people living with dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize qualitative evidence on the perceptions and experiences of oral health management for people living with dementia.
- To explore these experiences from the perspectives of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and social workers.
- To examine diverse contexts influencing oral health management in this population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251110648).
- Searched 11 databases and grey literature (inception–July 2025), including qualitative or mixed-methods studies.
- Thematic synthesis of 16 studies, with quality assessed by CASP and evidence confidence by GRADE-CERQual.
Main Results:
- Synthesized 16 studies into three overarching themes.
- Theme 1: Recognizing the importance of oral health for people with dementia as an ongoing process.
- Theme 2: Oral health management for people with dementia has unique and specific requirements.
- Theme 3: Learning to manage oral health for people with dementia involves multiple domains.
Conclusions:
- Identified critical gaps in oral health management for people living with dementia.
- Emphasized the need for continuity of oral healthcare and shared decision-making.
- Highlighted the importance of creating dementia-friendly oral healthcare practice environments for person-centered care.
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