The document summarizes a study called SENIOR that aims to determine if using dental therapists and dental nurses can improve oral health care for older residents in care homes. The study will involve randomly assigning care homes in the UK to either receive regular oral care from dental therapists and nurses or continue their current level of care. Residents in homes receiving the additional care will receive examinations, fluoride varnish applications, toothpaste, and oral hygiene advice every three months. Care homes that participate will receive financial compensation and have the opportunity to contribute to an important study on improving oral health for older adults.

1. Are you interested in ‘Improving the Oral Health of
Older People In Care Homes’ (SENIOR trial)?
What is the study about?
We are looking for care homes to work with our research
team and their local Community Dental Services to take
part in the SENIOR trial. The aim of the trial is to
determine whether other members of the dental team
could improve the provision of care for residents in care-
homes. Current service provision is patchy and is led by
dentists. Using other members of the dental team is an
approach that is currently in use across Wales.
Who can participate?
We’d like to work with care homes across Wales, North-
West of England, London and Northern Ireland who have a
minimum of ten residents (aged 65+). We are aiming to
recruit forty care homes in total: 20 from Wales and the
North-West of England, 10 from London and 10 from
Northern Ireland.
Care-homes won't be able to take part if they currently
participate in oral health programmes, research studies for
older people in care homes or only specialise in end-of-life
or palliative care
What will happen in the study?
Participating care homes will be randomly allocated to one
of two groups: one that utilise other members of the
dental team (from their local Community Dental Service)
and one where current service provision doesn't change.
Residents in the care-homes in the first group will receive
regular care from Dental Therapists and Dental Nurses. As
this is a trial, each resident will receive an examination
before the study starts and again at 6 and 12 months.
Care-homes in the group that receives dental care from
Dental Therapists and Dental Nurses will have:
1. Appropriate dental care;
2. A three-monthly application of high-fluoride varnish;
3. High-fluoride toothpaste;
4. Oral hygiene advice; and
5. Information about healthy eating; and
6. Advice and guidance for care-home staff
Many care home residents have their own natural teeth but their oral health is often
much worse than their peers living in the community. This is increasingly recognised
as a problem by the Care Quality Commission in England, the Welsh Government and
Regulation and Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland. To help address this, a
research team led by Bangor University have been funded to undertake a study by
the National Institute for Health Research.
What are the benefits/risks of taking part?
Each care-home that participates in SENIOR will
receive a payment of £500 as a 'golden hello' when
they start the study. They will also receive a payment
of £50 for each resident recruited to the study. In
addition to the financial benefit, this is an
opportunity to get involved in an important study
that is increasingly being recognized by care home
regulators. No risks to participants are anticipated.
Who is organising the study?
SENIOR is led by researchers from Bangor University,
University College London, Queen’s University
Belfast, University of Manchester, Cardiff University,
along with support from Public Health Wales and
Health Education and Improvement Wales. The
research has been funded (£1.4M) by the National
Institute for Health Research.
COVID-19
The research team fully recognise the impact that
COVID-19 has had on the care home sector. As a
result, we will actively seek not to add to the burden
that you have already experienced. We wouldn't
start the study until safe to do so and all our study
team and Community Dental Services will act in
accordance with their University or local Trust
policies to ensure they are COVID-19 compliant. We
will also be monitoring the study very carefully, with
our dedicated local study team, so that we can be
sensitive to your needs during this period.
To find out more or to sign up please contact
your local Community Dental Service