Enabling Detection and Provision of Dental Care for Older Adults by Non-Specialized Dental Care Personnel to Improve Quality of Life and Healthy Aging

Poor oral health is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with functional and systemic complications. However, routine detection of oral health problems is rarely conducted by dental personnel and often goes undiagnosed. Empowering non-dental caregivers to screen oral conditions using simple tools may help bridge this gap and promote healthy aging.

We conducted a pilot longitudinal study in two long-term care facilities in Talca, Chile. Eleven formal caregivers completed a structured multimedia training course delivered via a custom-designed digital platform. Using the Spanish version of the OHS-InterRAI tool, a standardized international oral health screening instrument, caregivers assessed residents at baseline, one month, and two months. Concurrently, dentists conducted reference evaluations, serving as the gold standard. Additionally, experienced dentists assessed clinical variables in older adult participants to explore the oral health impact of caregiver training.

Across the nine screening items, caregiver assessments showed increasing concordance with dentist evaluations over time. Caregivers also improved oral health knowledge and screening competence, evidenced by higher post-training scores. Although no statistically significant group-level clinical changes were observed over the short follow-up, several participants showed individual improvements. The intervention was feasible within routine workflows.

This model is feasible and promising, as it strengthens local capacity, enhances screening reliability, and supports healthy aging in resource-limited settings. A multicenter expansion with a larger sample size and extended follow-up is warranted, with the long-term goal of integrating this approach into public health policy through Chile’s Ministry of Health to enable scalable and sustainable implementation.