COMMITing to effective mouth care for older people living in care homes – developing guiding principles based on evidence and behaviour change theory

Background Mouth care in care homes is a challenge. Existing evidence and behaviour change theory can be used to help improve mouth care outcomes. Aim To develop a guiding principles resource to support care home staff with delivering mouth care. Method Researchers with clinical (nursing and dental) and care home expertise drafted the guiding principles resource using mouth care evidence and behaviour change theory. Care home relatives, and staff from care homes and dental/health sector settings (n=26) reviewed and developed the resource through taking part in online (n=4) and in-person (n=2) workshops. Findings and conclusions The guiding principles resource describes the capabilities, opportunities, and motivation that care staff need to deliver mouth care. The resource has been developed collaboratively with the care home, dental/health sectors, is accessible and engaging, and available to download. Participants suggested additional ways of disseminating evidence and raised topics for further work in this area.