Understanding Oral Health Management for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

People living with dementia often experience oral health problems, and managing oral health in this population presents numerous challenges. Although qualitative data have presented these challenges from multiple perspectives, there remains a lack of qualitative evidence synthesis. This paper aimed to synthesize available qualitative evidence on the perceptions and experiences of oral health management for people living with dementia from the perspectives of patients, their caregivers, healthcare professionals, and social workers across diverse contexts.

This systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Registered Number: CRD420251110648). This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research statement. We searched 11 databases and grey literature sources from inception to July 2025. We included qualitative designs or mixed-methods designs in which qualitative data were analysed separately from quantitative data and that addressed oral health management for people living with dementia. Studies published in English or Chinese were eligible. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies. Data were analysed through thematic synthesis, and confidence in the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation-Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research.

Sixteen studies were synthesized, yielding three themes: (1) recognizing the importance of oral health for people living with dementia as a process, (2) oral health management for people living with dementia having unique requirements, and (3) learning to manage oral health for people living with dementia across multiple domains.

This review highlights critical gaps in oral health management for people living with dementia, emphasizing the need for oral health continuity of care, shared decision-making in oral health, and creating dementia-friendly oral health practice environments. These findings provide direction for practice and research aimed at improving person-centered oral care.