The inclusion of people with dementia in oral health research: A scoping review
Abstract
Aim
The aim of this project was to explore the inclusion of people with dementia in oral health
research.
Method
A scoping review investigated the ways adults with dementia were included in oral health
research.
Results
Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 25 studies were included, then subdivided into
four themes. The themes included oral health research on people with dementia in nursing
homes, orofacial pain in people with dementia, and the effects of xerostomia on the oral
health of people with dementia. Twenty percent of the studies were carried out in Germany.
The studies mostly used cross-sectional designs, only one study was qualitative and used
focus groups. Thirty-six percent of studies viewed people with dementia as objects of
research, eight percent used the carer as a proxy and fifty-six percent of studies used
questionnaires designed by clinicians. The focus appeared to be mostly on functional aspects
of oral health.
Conclusion
There appears to be very limited evidence of the inclusion of people with dementia in oral
health research according to this scoping review. Continually focusing on functionality may
not improve the oral health of this diverse group. Given that people with dementia experience
large health inequalities, it may be useful for oral health services to consider what people
with dementia and their careers feel they want, thereby providing a comprehensive pathway
and quality of care as a result.