Implementation and Acceptance of Oral Health Assessment Tools in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Scoping Review.

Background: The global ageing population has increased demand for healthcare services in residential aged care (RAC), with oral health recognised as crucial for overall well-being. Despite this, the implementation of oral health assessment tools in RAC faces significant challenges.

Objective: This scoping review explored the implementation and acceptance of oral health assessment tools in RAC facilities, identifying key barriers and facilitators influencing their adoption by non-dental healthcare professionals.

Methods: Five databases were searched, including Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Medline OVID and CINAHL, with a focus on oral health assessment tools utilised by non-dental healthcare professionals in residential aged care. The review adhered to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review guidelines, with data extraction guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework, focusing on evidence, context and facilitation.

Results: The review included 26 studies on the implementation of oral health assessment tools in residential aged care facilities, highlighting diverse barriers and facilitators impacting tool adoption by non-dental professionals. Key barriers included insufficient training, high staff turnover and inconsistent prioritisation of oral health across facilities. In contrast, facilitators involved targeted in-service training and the presence of oral health champions to support tool usage. Despite the variety of tools identified, none of the studies employed an implementation science framework.

Conclusions: There is a need to incorporate implementation science to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of oral health assessment tools in RAC settings. Addressing the identified barriers and using facilitators could improve the adoption and integration of oral health assessment tools, ultimately enhancing residents' oral health and well-being.