Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41688941›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2026

Management perceptions on oral health policies in nursing homes using the interRAI instrument: a SWOT analysis.

Emilie Schoebrechts, Joke Duyck, Afke Granzier, Jesper Meeuws, Patricia A I Vandenbulcke, Hein P J van Hout, Anja Declercq, Jan De Lepeleire, Dominique Declerck, Johanna de Almeida Mello

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Emilie SchoebrechtsDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium. emilie.schoebrechts@kuleuven.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7797-567X
Joke DuyckDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8698-1692
Afke GranzierDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-7789-2734
Jesper MeeuwsDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-9642-498X
Patricia A I VandenbulckeDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8436-6784
Hein P J van HoutDepartments of General Practice and Medicine for Older People, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2495-4808
Anja DeclercqCenter for Care Research and Consultancy, KU Leuven, LUCAS, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3136-124X
Jan De LepeleireDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Academic Center for General Practice, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6152-2134
Dominique DeclerckDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4637-0675
Johanna de Almeida MelloDepartment of Oral Health Sciences, Population Studies in Oral Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Leuven, 3000, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1262-318X

Funding

Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek TBM T003220NKU Leuven C24M-20-063
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImproving poor oral health among nursing home residents requires a multi-level approach, including effective organizational oral health policies. The interRAI instrument for holistic care needs assessments supports policy development and enables identification and management of oral care needs by integrating the validated Oral Health Screener (OHS). This study explored the perceptions of nursing home staff, involved in policy development or implementation, on oral health policies in Flemish (Belgian) and Dutch nursing homes, and on experiences using the current oral health section or OHS in the interRAI instrument.

methodsBetween May-November 2024, seven online focus groups (34 participants) and four interviews (five participants) were organized across 26 Flemish and four Dutch nursing homes, respectively. Participants were grouped based on nursing home characteristics, with a maximum of three participants per home. Semi-structured questions addressed perceptions on oral care guidelines, resources, collaborations, practices, and oral health assessments. Transcripts were coded in NVivo and analyzed using a SWOT framework to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in current policies, while experiences using the current oral health section and the OHS were explored separately.

resultsStrengths included using the OHS in multidisciplinary consultations and oral care working groups. Common weaknesses were limited collaboration with oral health professionals and inconsistent oral health policies. Opportunities included enhancing interprofessional collaboration and involving dental hygienists. Threats included limited attention to oral health in caregivers' education and staff shortages. Differences were observed between Flemish and Dutch nursing homes, and a lack of standardization among Flemish ones.

conclusionsThis study identified areas for improvement in nursing homes' oral health policies. Consistent, comprehensive policies can address care gaps and improve integration of oral care into daily practice, contributing to better resident health outcomes.

Indexed as

Health PolicyNursing HomesOral HealthPerceptionAttitude of Health PersonnelBelgiumFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleNetherlandsNursing Home ResidentsAgedGeriatric assessmentHealthcare policyInterRAI suite of instrumentsLong-Term careNursing staffOral hygieneResidential facilities

Identifiers

PMID41688941
PMCPMC13005569

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.