Conclusion

Meeting the oral health needs of nursing home residents and care-dependent adults requires multiple strategies at various levels. Policy changes will be needed to ensure access to care, financial coverage for care provided, and creating and enforcing the standards of daily care by caregivers. Dental professionals are an essential stakeholder in this process, as they can advocate for policy changes, provide care for this patient population in private practice and public health settings, and participate in educating nursing staff and other caregivers.