Key Points
-
Draws attention to the poorly researched area of palliative oral care.
-
Identifies common themes, regarding oral care of palliative care patients, reported in blogs and discussion forums written by their relatives.
-
Provides insight into palliative oral care and how future research could be designed.
This is a preview of subscription content
Access options
Subscribe to Journal
Get full journal access for 1 year
$119.00
only $4.96 per issue
All prices are NET prices.
VAT will be added later in the checkout.
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.
Buy article
Get time limited or full article access on ReadCube.
$32.00
All prices are NET prices.

References
Kinley J, Brennan S . Changing practice: use of audit to change oral care practice. Int J Palliat Nurs 2004; 10: 580–587.
Kvalheim S F, Strand G V, Husebo B S, Marthinussen M C . End-of-life palliative oral care in Norwegian health institutions. An exploratory study. Gerodontology 2016; 33: 522–529.
Milligan S, McGill M, Sweeney M P, Malarkey C . Oral care for people with advanced cancer: an evidence-based protocol. Int J Palliat Nurs 2001; 7: 418–426.
NICE. Palliative care-oral, 2016. Available online at https://cks.nice.org.uk/palliative-care-oral (accessed 25 April 2018).
Saini R, Marawar P P, Shete S, Saini S, Mani A . Dental expression and role in palliative treatment. Indian J Palliat Care 2009; 15: 26–29.
Lee L, White V, Gill K et al. An audit of oral care practice and staff knowledge in hospital palliative care. Int J Palliat Nurs 2001; 7: 395–400.
Wiseman M A . Palliative care dentistry. Gerodontology 2000; 17: 49–51.
Chen X, Chen H, Douglas C, Preisser J S, Shuman S K . Dental treatment intensity in frail older adults in the last year of life. J Am Dent Assoc 2013; 144: 1234–1242.
NHS Scotland. Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines. Mouth Care 2014. Available online at http://www.palliativecareguidelines.scot.nhs.uk/guidelines/symptom-control/Mouth-Care.aspx (accessed 25 April 2018).
GSF. The Gold Standards Framework Proactive Identification Guidance (PIG). 6th ed. 2016. Available online at http://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/pig (accessed 25 April 2018).
Marie Curie. Marie Curie Care and support through terminal illness 2016. Available online at https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/diagnosed/recent-diagnosis/palliative-care-end-of-life-care (accessed 25 April 2018).
WHO. The sold facts: Palliative Care 2004. Available online at http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/98418/E82931.pdf (accessed 25 April 2018).
WHO. Palliative Care: symptom management and end-of-life care 2004. Available online at http://www.who.int/3by5/publications/documents/en/genericpalliativecare082004.pdf (accessed 25 April 2018).
Quinn B . Oral care for cancer and palliative patients. Br J Nurs 2013; 22: S14.
Rohr Y, Adams J, Young L . Oral discomfort in palliative care: results of an exploratory study of the experiences of terminally ill patients. Int J Palliat Nurs 2010; 16: 439–444.
Sargeant S, Chamley C . Oral health assessment and mouth care for children and young people receiving palliative care. Part two. Nurs Child Young People 2013; 25: 30–33.
Wiseman M A . The treatment of oral problems in the palliative patient. J Can Dent Assoc 2006; 72: 453–458.
Couch E, Mead J M, Walsh M . Oral health perceptions of paediatric palliative care nursing staff. Int J Palliat Nurs 2013; 19: 9–15.
Croyere N, Belloir M, Chantler L, McEwan L . Oral care in nursing practice: a pragmatic representation. Int J Palliat Nurs 2012; 18: 435–440.
NICE. Oral health for adults in care homes 2016. Available online at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng48/resources/oral-health-for-adults-in-care-homes-1837459547845 (accessed 25 April 2018).
Braun V, Clarke V . Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 2006; 3: 77–101.
Keim-Malpass J, Steeves R, Kennedy C . Internet ethnography: A review of methodological considerations for studying online illness blogs. Int J Nurs Stud 2014; 51: 1686–1692.
Braun V, Clarke V . Successful qualitative research, a practical guide for beginners. London: Sage, 2013.
Jobbins J, Bagg J, Finlay I G, Addy M, Newcombe R G . Oral and dental disease in terminally ill cancer patients. BMJ 1992; 304: 1612.v
Acknowledgements
Note: Maria Bernardes Delgado is an Academic Clinical Fellow, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Delgado, M., Burns, L., Quinn, C. et al. Oral care of palliative care patients – carers' and relatives' experiences. A qualitative study. Br Dent J 224, 881–886 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.434
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.434