Health Policy Analysis on Barriers and Facilitators for Better Oral Health in German Care Homes: a Qualitative Study

Objectives: To assess possible health policy interventions derived from the theoretical domains framework (TDF) by studying barriers and facilitators on the delivery of oral healthcare and oral hygiene in German care homes using a behavioural change framework.

Design: Qualitative correlational study to evaluate a national intervention programme.

Setting: Primary healthcare in two care homes in rural Germany.

Participants: Eleven stakeholders participating in the delivery of oral healthcare (hygiene, treatment) to older people, including two care home managers, four section managers, two nurses/carers and three dentists.

Interventions: Semistructured interviews conducted in person in the care homes or by phone. A questionnaire developed along the domains of the TDF and the Capabilities, Opportunities and Motivations influencing Behaviours model was used to guide the interviews. Interviews were transcribed and systematised using Mayring's content analysis along the TDF.

Results: 860 statements were collected. We identified 19 barriers, facilitators and conflicting themes related to capabilities, 34 to opportunities and 24 to motivation. The lack of access to professional dental care was confirmed by all stakeholders as a major limitation hampering better oral health.

Primary Outcome: A range of interventions can be discussed with the methodology we utilised. In our interviews, lack of dentists willing to treat patients at these facilities was the most discussed barrier for improving oral health of nursing home residents.

Secondary Outcomes: Dentists highlighted the need for better incentives and facilities to deliver oral healthcare in these institutions. Differences with urban settings regarding access to healthcare were frequently discussed by our study participants.

Conclusions: Within our sample, greater capacitation of care home staff, better financial incentives for dentists and increased cooperation between the two stakeholders should be considered when designing interventions to tackle oral health of care home residents in Germany.