Work

Oral Care Cards as a Support in the Daily Life of Frail Older Adults: Experiences and Perceptions of Leaders in Municipal and Dental Care Settings

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and perceptions of oral care cards among strategic-level leaders within municipal and dental care organisations. BACKGROUND: Oral health is integral to overall well-being, especially in older adults, who frequently rely on caregiving services. In Sweden, paper-based oral care cards are intended to enhance communication and coordination across municipal and dental care, yet their practical effectiveness remains underexplored. Leaders are crucial for facilitating integrated person-centred care; exploring a strategic-level leadership perspective on these cards is therefore important for developing comprehensive cross-organisational oral health care strategies for ageing populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a qualitative, exploratory design, data were collected through semi-structured group interviews with leaders in municipal and dental care, as well as with senior researchers in nursing/person-centred care and the oral health domain. In total, 20 participants took part in the interviews. Inductive content analysis was employed. RESULTS: Participants called for a more cohesive, cross-organisational framework to improve the scope and usefulness of oral care cards. Three main categories emerged: (1) the necessity of a dynamic, adaptable process that accommodates changing oral health needs; (2) the importance of integrating oral care cards into existing workflows through coordinated leadership; and (3) the potential of oral care cards to promote reciprocal learning, person-centred care and preventive strategies. CONCLUSION: Oral care cards hold considerable promise for strengthening oral health among older adults. Long-term sustainability in a digitalising care system likely requires a hybrid approach, where paper-based cards function as low-threshold bedside prompts while key information is mirrored in secure digital infrastructures to enable follow-up, shared access and accountability.

Source: Gerodontology

DOI: 10.1111/ger.70074

Authors: Sara Björns, Mersiha Velic, Jessica Persson Kylén

Institutions: Public Dental Service Västra Götaland, University of Gothenburg, Karlstad University, Region Västra Götaland

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,780