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.