[Improvement of oral health of older people in hospitals: a scoping review].

Abstract

Background: The current evidence regarding interventions to improve oral health in older hospital patients is unclear.

Objective: This scoping review assesses the scope and nature of research activities and identifies gaps in the existing literature.

Methods: The inclusion criteria for this study included adults over the age of 65 years who were treated as inpatient outside of intensive care units and covered all interventions aimed at promoting oral health or hygiene.

Results: The systematic search yielded 12 final studies, focusing on oral healthcare interventions in various settings, primarily in high-income countries. The studies employed diverse designs including randomized controlled trials and prospective studies, with interventions mainly provided by multidisciplinary teams. The interventions aimed to improve oral health or prevent pneumonia. Overall, the studies highlighted a potential effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches in improving oral health and preventing pneumonia in geriatric populations.

Conclusion: This scoping review shows a limited and heterogeneous evidence base for oral health interventions for older patients in hospitals. The need for patient involvement is evident; however, there is often a lack of high-quality studies to draw robust conclusions.