3134 Effectiveness of the SmartJournal digital intervention on oral hygiene in nursing home residents: a cluster randomised trial

Abstract Introduction The global trend of population ageing has led to a significant demographic transformation, with an increasing proportion of elderly individuals. This shift brings a heightened burden of disease, including oral cavity infections. Declining rates of edentulism and the rise of complex dental prostheses have emphasised the importance of maintaining oral health in older adults. Care-dependent individuals, particularly in institutional settings, rely on nursing staff for oral care; however, different barriers hinder the provision of adequate oral care. Poor oral health is linked to systemic diseases, and reduced quality of life, yet remains an overlooked concern in many institutions. In Norway, studies reveal widespread oral health neglect in nursing homes, highlighting the need for effective interventions to address this critical issue. SmartJournal presents an interactive easy-to-use digital tool to assist nursing staff in preserving the oral health of nursing home residents. The app contains three components: Component 1, ‘registration of daily oral hygiene routines’, component 2, ‘monthly oral health assessment’, and component 3, ‘e-learning (knowledge base)’. Methods The study was designed as a pragmatic, 12-week, parallel-group, three-arm blinded cluster-randomised trial (CRT) aiming to compare the effectiveness of SmartJournal use versus augmented care in improving oral hygiene among nursing home residents. It involved 12 nursing homes and 309 participants. The primary outcome measure was the mucosal-plaque score (MPS), which measures oral hygiene. The secondary outcome measure was the number of teeth. Results Preliminary results show a 10% improvement in oral hygiene scores in the intervention group. Further statistical analysis is ongoing. Conclusion Few clinical trials evaluate the effectiveness of preventive oral health care interventions for care-dependent older adults, making this study’s findings valuable for guiding future research and implementation of similar interventions.