Oral health and oral care in short‐term care: prevalence, related factors and coherence between older peoples’ and professionals’ assessments

BACKGROUND: Oral health is important for well‐being and overall health. Older peoples′ oral health is well described in the residential care context, but remains understudied in short‐term care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe oral health, daily oral care and related factors among older people in short‐term care and to compare self‐perceived oral health with professional assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‐sectional study included 391 older people in 36 short‐term units in 19 Swedish municipalities. Oral health was assessed professionally by clinical oral assessment and the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). The older peoples’ perceptions of their own oral health were measured with a global question on self‐perceived oral health. Self‐care ability was assessed with Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz‐ADL). RESULTS: Mean age was 82.9 years, 19% of participants were totally edentulous, and 43% had ≥20 teeth. Almost 60% had coating or food debris on their teeth, but only 19% received help with daily oral care. Those who were dependent on help with self‐care had around a sixfold higher risk of having oral problems. There was a low level of agreement between the clinical assessment based on ROAG and self‐perceived oral health. CONCLUSION: Professionals’ assessments of oral health differed considerably from the older peoples′ own assessments. A higher risk of oral problems and more occurrence of coating or food debris or broken teeth were seen among those dependent on help with self‐care (ADL). This study indicates that in order to improve older peoples′ oral health and oral care we need to provide person‐centred oral care and to develop a close collaboration between nursing and dental staff.