Qualitative analysis of collaborative oral-health support during disaster response: experiences from the 2024 Noto...

Objective: Adequate oral function and swallowing support are prerequisites for safe and effective nutritional intake during disasters. Research on the implementation of oral, swallowing, and nutritional care-related multidisciplinary collaborations during disasters and their practical challenges is limited. We aimed to qualitatively examine the status of and challenges facing oral-health support systems and interprofessional collaboration during disasters, focusing on the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative thematic analysis, we interviewed 12 professionals, including dentists, dental hygienists, and speech-language-hearing therapists who were involved in relief activities through the Japan Dental Alliance Team and Japan Rehabilitation Assistance Team. Thematic analysis identified 12 themes across three major domains: institutionalization of disaster-response systems, interprofessional collaboration, and region-specific challenges. Results: Institutionalization improved material supplies and strengthened collaboration among healthcare professionals. However, several issues were highlighted, including limited flexibility, restricted scope of responsibility, and discontinuity in local support. Effective collaboration was hindered by differences in professional awareness and poor information sharing. Conclusion: We highlight the importance of establishing pre-disaster collaborative frameworks and fostering mutual understanding among professionals involved in oral and swallowing care within multidisciplinary disaster-health support. Local resilience and residents' health literacy substantially influence the effectiveness of disaster oral health support.