Effectiveness of Oral Health Professional Intervention on the Oral Health of Residents With Dementia in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Dementia poses a significant challenge for health and social policy not only in Australia but globally. Older adults entering aged care facilities have retained more of their natural teeth often with complex dental work than they did in previous generations. Residents in aged care facilities frequently have poor oral health and hygiene with a moderate to high level of oral disease and an overall sense of dental neglect. Furthermore, residents with behavioural issues associated with dementia more frequently have their oral hygiene neglected. The concept of profession al oral health care involves an oral health professional such as a dental hygienist or oral health therapist supervising and/or assisting residents with their oral care. Oral care involves the mechanical removal of plaque and food debris using a toothbrush, interproximal brush and floss. The objective of this review is to critically appraise and synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of professional oral health care intervention on the oral health of aged care residents with dementia.
Methods: This systematic review will consider studies that evaluate the efficacy of professional oral health care (POHC) performed by an oral health professional. This review will exclude interventions involving staff training. The search strategy aims to find both published and unpublished studies. Papers selected for retrieval will be assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review using the standardized critical appraisal using the JBI-MAStARI.
Results: Currently under analysis. Estimated submission for publication end of January 2016.
Conclusions: The results of this review indicate that further research including longitudinal studies of interventions to improve long-term oral health for residents living in aged care facilities is necessary.