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Objective: To describe the experiences of general-practising dental professionals in managing oral dryness.

Materials and methods: The purposive selection of dentists and dental hygienists sought to create a cohort with varying years of professional experience, of both genders, and in dissimilar working regions and workplaces for one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify themes and categories, where themes represented the interpretative aspect and categories, the descriptive aspect.

Results: Thirteen informants were interviewed (4 dentists, 9 dental hygienists; of these, 9 worked in the Swedish Public Dental Service; 4, in private dental care). Two themes emerged from the analysis. The first theme, “Challenges in managing oral dryness”, comprised five categories: heterogeneity of the patient group, barriers to measuring salivary secretion, routines perceived as vague, lack of treatment options, and necessity to stay current. The second theme, “A patient-centred approach in managing oral dryness”, had three categories: tailoring questions to the individual, viewing the patient holistically, and sharing decision-making.

Conclusion: Managing patients with oral dryness is challenging. The study suggests that a patient-centred approach, based on the individual needs of the patient, is crucial for managing patients with oral dryness in the dental situation.

Clinical implications: This study stresses the importance of a patient-centred approach in providing individual support for patients with oral dryness. Dental professionals should query all patients about perceived dry mouth. In cases of positive responses, determination of the salivary secretion rate is essential for a comprehensive diagnosis.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and potential contributing factors such as poor oral health, dysphagia and mortality among older people in short-term care.

Methods: This cross-sectional study is a part of the multidisciplinary multicentre project SOFIA (Swallowing function, Oral health and Food Intake in old Age), which includes older people (≥65 years) in 36 short-term care units in five regions of Sweden. Nutritional status was measured with version II of the Minimal Eating Observation and Nutrition Form (MEONF-II), oral health with the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG), dysphagia with a water swallow test, and the mortality rate was followed for 1 year. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios for the association between malnutrition and these factors.

Results: Among the 391 participants, the median age was 84 years and 53.3% were women. Mortality rate was 25.1% within 1 year in the total group, and was higher among malnourished participants than among their well-nourished counterparts. Severe dysphagia (OR: 6.51, 95% CI: 2.40–17.68), poor oral health (OR: 5.73, 95% CI: 2.33–14.09) and female gender (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.24–3.93) were independently associated with malnutrition.

Conclusion: Mortality rate was higher among malnourished people than those who were well nourished. Severe dysphagia, poor oral health and female gender was predictors of malnutrition among older people in short-term care. These health risks should be given more attention in short-term care with early identification.

Background: Older people’s oral health has improved, and many retain their natural teeth throughout their life. However, their daily oral care can be more difficult because of compromised general health and the reduced capacity for self-care that often comes with old age. More knowledge is needed about how older people view their oral health and oral care. The aim of this study was to describe how older people in short-term care experience their oral health and daily oral care.

Method: A descriptive, qualitative study was performed through interviews with 14 older people (74–95 years) recruited from short-term care units in two Swedish regions. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results: The findings are described in one main category, three categories and nine sub-categories. The main category was Adapting to a changed oral condition while striving to retain independence. The first category, Wanting to manage daily oral care independently, contained three subcategories: Having always brushed my teeth without help, Being satisfied with my mouth and teeth, and Having to accept help if necessary. The second category, Acceptance of changes in oral condition, had three subcategories: Difficulty in chewing and swallowing, Difficulty with tooth brushing, and Not considering a dentist visit to be worth the cost. The third category, Barriers to receiving assistance from staff, had three subcategories: Staff lacking the time to help, Not wanting to be a burden, and Lack of confidence in staff’s knowledge.

Conclusions: The participants were generally satisfied with their oral health despite an expressed need for dental treatment. Daily oral care was something they wanted to manage themselves, and they had a strong desire to stay independent for as long as possible. Closer collaboration between dental and health care staff is necessary in order to implement clinical practice guidelines for oral health care and increase nursing staff’s attention towards older peoples’ oral health.

OBJECTIVES: It is well known that oral health status is associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in the general population. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse OHRQoL among older people in short-term care and its associated factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 391 older people in 36 short-term care units. Data were collected via clinical oral assessments, questions about self-perceived oral and general health, Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (Katz-ADL) and the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). OHRQoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Multivariate logistic regression models were applied in the analysis.

RESULTS: Poor OHRQoL was reported by 34% of the older people. Associated factors were swallowing problems according to ROAG; quite poor/poor self-perceived physical, psychological and oral health; and being a woman.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between OHRQoL and older people's self-perceived health according to the OHIP-14. This indicates the importance of early detection of oral health problems in frail older people and to assess both oral health and swallowing problems among older people in short-term care.

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.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate, in a randomized controlled cross-over study, the effect of daily intake of the alga Ascophyllum nodosum on supragingival calculus, plaque formation, and gingival health over a 6-month period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-one adults with moderate to heavy calculus formation since their last yearly recall visit participated. In a randomized order over two 6-month periods, they swallowed two capsules daily, comprising a total of 500 mg dried marine alga powder (Ascophyllum nodosum, ProDen PlaqueOff®) or two negative control tablets. During the study, the participants maintained their regular oral habits. Their teeth were professionally cleaned at the start of each period and after the 6-month registrations. A wash out period of 1 month separated the two 6-month periods. Supragingival calculus (Volpe Manhold), gingivitis (Löe and Silness), gingival bleeding (Ainamo and Bay), and plaque (Quigley-Hein) were registered at screening and at the end of the two periods. Differences in oral health between the test and control periods were analyzed using a paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS: Fifty-five participants completed the study. After the alga intake, the mean calculus reduction was 52 % compared to the control (p < 0.0001). Fifty-two participants showed less calculus formation in the alga group than in the control group. Plaque (p = 0.008) and gingival bleeding (p = 0.02) were also significantly less in the alga group. However, no significant difference was found between the groups for gingivitis (p = 0.13).

CONCLUSIONS: The alga intake significantly reduced the formation of supragingival calculus and plaque and occurrence of gingival bleeding. The alga has a systemic effect on oral health.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Daily intake of the alga Ascophyllum nodosum as an adjunct to customary oral hygiene showed a major reduction of supragingival calculus formation and reduced plaque formation. In addition, the calculus in the alga group was characterized by a more porous and less solid structure and was easier to remove than the calculus in the control group.