Objective: The aim of this qualitative study based on interviews was to explore the perceptions that district nurses have of the oral health of elderly patients.
Material and methods: The criterion for inclusion was being a district nurse working in a primary health-care centre in the County of Stockholm. The respondents were asked open-ended questions about their perceptions of oral health and about the impact of oral problems on the general health and well-being of elderly patients. The analyses started at the first interview and proceeded in parallel until no further relevant information could be obtained. Analysis of the open-ended questions was inspired by grounded theory methodology and comprised four stages: native reading, open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.
Results: The one core category identified, namely indistinct professional duties of the district nurse, formed the central meaning of the district nurse's perceptions of oral health in elderly patients. This related to two other categories labelled 'insights into the district nurse's professional role' and 'obstacles for the district nurse', with sub-categories.
Conclusion: Although the district nurses in this study were aware of the impact of oral health in old age, their attitude was that this was a matter for dentistry.