Preventive Oral Care in the Hospital Setting: a Multilevel Needs Assessment

Background

Oral health is an essential component of general health and is linked to systemic conditions, recovery, and quality of life. Despite this, oral care remains poorly integrated into hospital care. This study assessed the current status, perceived barriers, and improvement opportunities for oral health care among hospitalized patients from the perspectives of healthcare providers, physicians, and hospital management in a Belgian university hospital.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at UZ Leuven Hospitals using online surveys among 3 stakeholder groups: caregivers (nurses/nurse aids/paramedics), physicians, and hospital management. The questionnaires addressed knowledge, attitudes, practices, responsibilities, organizational support, and needs related to oral health care. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

In total, 202 caregivers, 58 physicians, and 40 management staff participated. Oral health was generally recognized as important, but its integration into daily care was limited. Among caregivers, 71.8% reported a lack of ward-level guidelines and 85.74 % reported difficulties providing oral care, mainly due to time constraints, patient resistance, limited materials, and insufficient training. Only half felt competent, and training needs were frequently reported. Physicians acknowledged the relevance of oral health but reported limited competence and a lack of standardized protocols, resulting in mostly reactive care. Management valued oral care but lacked clarity about hospital-wide policies, indicators, or assigned responsibilities.

Conclusions

A clear gap exists between awareness of oral health importance and its systematic implementation in hospital care. Clear protocols, defined responsibilities, staff training, organizational support, and interdisciplinary collaboration are needed to better integrate oral health into standard hospital care pathways.

Key messages

• Hospital staff recognize oral health as vital, but lack time, training, materials and clear protocols, leaving oral care inconsistent and mostly reactive.

• Embedding oral health in hospital care requires clear policies, defined responsibilities, staff training and strong interdisciplinary collaboration.