Improving quality of life through oral care
Oral health is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of overall wellbeing, particularly for older adults living in care homes. In the UK, a significant number of residents suffer from poor dental hygiene, which can lead to serious health complications and a reduced quality of life.
It is vital to recognise that good mouth care is not simply about teeth – it is fundamental to dignity, nutrition, communication, comfort and general health.
NICE guidelines
Promoting oral health in care homes isn’t just about preventing toothaches, it’s about preserving dignity, enabling proper nutrition, supporting communication, and ultimately, improving residents’ quality of life. For elderly individuals who may already be vulnerable due to dementia or physical disabilities, consistent and thoughtful oral care is not optional, it’s essential.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recognised this concern and, in its guideline NG48 on “Oral health for adults in care homes” (last reviewed in 2018), it outlines the standards for promoting and maintaining good oral hygiene. The guideline stresses the importance of assessing each resident’s oral health on admission, developing individual care plans, and ensuring regular daily support with brushing and dental care.
Featured resource
Mouth care and oral health for people with dementia
The following resource from Dementia UK provides clear, practical advice on helping people with dementia maintain oral health, hygiene routines, denture care and how to spot early signs of dental problems.
Resources for carers, residents, friends and family
Beyond formal training, it’s important for care home teams to stay informed and proactive. Resources such as the NHS Health Education England’s “Mouth Care Matters“, and Care Quality Commission’s “Smiling Matters“ report, provide valuable insight and tools for developing oral care strategies tailored to older adults.
The following resources may also prove useful to residents and their families. Please note that Acute Training Solutions are not responsible for the content of external websites.
- Oral health for adults in care homes (NICE Guideline NG48) – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Mouth Care Matters – NHS Health Education England
- Oral health toolkit for adults in care homes – Public Health England
- Improving oral health for adults in care homes. A quick guide for care home managers – Social Care Institute for Excellence and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Keep Smiling: Mouth & teeth care for older people – Care Rights UK (Formerly The Relatives & Residents Association)
- Improving older people’s oral health – Royal College of Surgeons
- Smiling Matters – Care Quality Commission
- Smiling Matters (Progress Report) – Care Quality Commission
