Oral healthcare for people with dementia: a systematic policy review of fragmentation and the need for a unified approach

Abstract Background Good oral health is essential for older adults’ general health and wellbeing, yet people with dementia face higher risks of oral diseases due to cognitive decline, fluctuating capacity and difficulties maintaining daily routines. Policies and guidelines are therefore critical for ensuring equitable access to appropriate healthcare, but it is unclear whether UK policies adequately address dementia-specific needs. Methods National, regional and local UK websites were searched between March 2023 and February 2024; relevant policies were screened, data extracted and findings narratively summarised. Results Of the 170 documents identified, 19 included contents on oral healthcare for people with dementia. Most (N=12) were aimed at healthcare professionals, with few (N=2) designed for people with dementia. Guidance was fragmented, lacked measurable outcomes, and varied in the sensitivity of language used to describe people with dementia. Dementia advocacy organisations produced some of the most accessible resources, but these were not consistently integrated into formal policy. Conclusions Overall, the findings highlighted the fragmentation of UK-wide oral healthcare framework. A coordinated, dementia-sensitive policy approach with measurable outcomes is needed to reduce inequities and improve access to oral healthcare for people with dementia.