Qualitative study on the experiences in home-visit oral health care intervention activities of dental hygienists

Objectives: This study aimed to provide basic data for effective community home-visit oral healthcare interventions by analyzing the perspectives of dental hygienists with experience in home-visit oral healthcare. Methods: A survey was conducted among dental hygienists providing home-visit oral healthcare to vulnerable and elderly residents of Gwangju. In-depth interviews with 11 participants were conducted from August 5 to September 6, 2024, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Results: A total of 150 semantic words and 13 subcategories were collected which were categorized into five central meanings such as ‘Environmental barrier and cognitive limit’, ‘Insufficient information and asymmetric relationship’, ‘Expansion of support and multidisciplinary cooperation is needed’, ‘Efforts for effective oral care’, and ‘Job achievement and place for opportunities’. In particular, a poor residential environment and lack of understanding of oral healthcare were barriers, while insufficient information and uncooperative behaviors hindered dental hygienists’ intervention activities. Conclusions: Effective home-visit oral healthcare requires improving information systems, ensuring safety, strengthening cooperation, and expanding the roles and competencies of dental hygienists.