Nurse- and Caregiver-Led Oral Health Interventions in Older Adults Living in LongTerm Care Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Necati Bükecik, Filiz Adana
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed nurse- or caregiver-led oral health interventions for adults aged 60 years and older in long-term care facilities. It included six randomized or cluster-randomized trials with more than 900 participants, evaluating approaches such as caregiver training, professional toothbrushing, and structured oral-care protocols. Pooled results favored intervention groups for plaque outcomes (Hedges’ g ≈ -0.62) and denture plaque outcomes (Hedges’ g ≈ -1.13). However, substantial between-study heterogeneity and methodological variation limit the precision of these estimates.
Key findings
- Across six trials with more than 900 participants, interventions favored improved plaque outcomes (Hedges’ g ≈ -0.62).
- Denture plaque outcomes also favored intervention groups (Hedges’ g ≈ -1.13), but heterogeneity was very high.
- The review included caregiver training, professional toothbrushing, oral-hygiene protocols, and structured oral-care programs.
Why it matters
Oral hygiene can be difficult to maintain in long-term care when residents have physical dependency or cognitive decline. The pooled findings suggest that care delivered or supported by nurses and caregivers may improve plaque outcomes, highlighting the potential value of organized oral-care efforts. The variability across studies means the size and consistency of benefit remain uncertain.
What to keep in mind
Only six trials were included, with methodological diversity and substantial heterogeneity, particularly for denture plaque outcomes; pooled effect estimates are therefore imprecise.