Nursing Experiences in Oral Health Care in Nursing Homes

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive literature review was to describe the factors that affect oral hygiene care provided by nurses in nursing homes. Therefore, this literature review aims to produce new knowledge in oral health care that could be used by nurses to enhance the complete care approach to nursing interventions to enhance the well-being and general health of geriatric patients in nursing homes.

This study utilizes a qualitative methodology with a descriptive literature review approach and utilizes inductive analysis of different published journal content from 2014 to 2024. The research methodically determined the experiences of nurses in nursing homes to include the factors that affect those experiences.

The result revealed that nurses experienced challenges that affected their ability to provide optimal oral care in nursing homes. Our findings outlined two primary categories: (1) factors influencing the quality of oral health care, and (2) factors that prevent nurses from administering effective oral hygiene practices. The first category identified were organizational and patient factors. Furthermore, the second category were identified nurse’s work situations and nurse’s traits that prevent the delivery of good oral care to geriatric patients.

The results lead to the conclusion that improving oral health outcomes in nursing homes requires addressing a spectrum of factors, from enhancing communication and collaboration to providing sufficient resources and support for both staff and residents. By addressing these complexities, we can work towards promoting better oral health and overall well-being among geriatric patients in nursing home settings.