Healthcare professionals’ and carers’ (both formal and informal) experiences of identifying and managing oral pain and discomfort in older people living with dementia – A sequential exploratory study

In the United Kingdom, dementia is a growing health concern particularly within the ageing population. The poor oral health status and dentition associated with old age may increase the likelihood of people living with dementia experiencing oral pain and discomfort. Studies have shown that it is possible to identify and manage pain in people living with dementia, and that oral health screening tools for people living with dementia are effective; yet oral pain and discomfort remains frequently undetected. In 2014, Health Education Kent Surrey and Sussex commissioned the University of Greenwich to research into healthcare professionals’ and carers’ (formal and informal) experiences of identifying and managing oral pain and discomfort in older people living with dementia