Insights Into Associations Between Oral and General Health Outcomes of Nursing Home Residents Based on InterRAI Data: Cross-Sectional Study

Oral health of nursing home residents is generally poor, largely due to age-related conditions that increase their vulnerability and make them more dependent on others for oral care. Poor oral health can significantly impact general health and well-being, highlighting the important role of caregivers in preventing, detecting, and addressing residents' oral health problems in time. The interRAI Suite of instruments, widely used for comprehensive health assessments, offers the opportunity for nondental caregivers to assess oral health as part of general health and well-being and facilitates the integration of oral health in general care planning. Based on interRAI data, this study explored the associations between oral health and general health outcomes of nursing home residents in Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands. This cross-sectional study included baseline interRAI assessments of 2362 Flemish and Dutch residents aged 65 years and older, collected by caregivers (eg, nurses, nurse aids) between October 2020 and February 2024. Validated outcome scales (eg, Activities of Daily Living Hierarchy Scale, Cognitive Performance Scale, and Depression Rating Scale), health conditions such as diabetes and low weight (BMI