Oral health matters-guideline commentary for oral health for adults in care homes [NG48].

Abstract

Older people's oral health often deteriorates upon admission to care homes, with a detrimental impact on their quality of life, general health and well-being. There are links between poor oral health, nutrition and hydration, community-acquired aspiration pneumoniae and frailty. In 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence issued guideline NG48 on oral health for adults in care homes to maintain and improve residents' oral health and ensure their timely access to dental treatment. The guideline was aimed at care home managers, staff caring for residents, dental services and local authorities. Reports undertaken by the Care Quality Commission after the release of NG48 found that implementation and awareness of the guidance were inadequate. Suboptimal oral health standards have been exacerbated further by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, when dental access was further limited, resulting in substantial waiting times for dental care. As the care home population grows with increasing health complexities, further evidence is needed to help ensure that NG48 guidance is implemented to make it standard practice. Outcomes from oral health improvement programmes and high-quality research in care homes are required to support further investment for this underserved population. Geriatricians within the community and multidisciplinary teams should include oral health as part of the comprehensive geriatric assessment for care home residents.