Improving oral health for individuals with mild dementia through care partner support

Care-Partner Assisted Intervention To Improve Oral Health for Individuals with Mild Dementia

NIH-funded research New York University · NIH-10685242

This study is all about helping people with mild dementia keep their mouths healthy by teaching their caregivers how to support them with brushing and taking care of their teeth at home.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10685242 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing oral health for individuals with mild dementia by involving their care partners in the process. It aims to educate care partners on effective methods to assist and supervise oral hygiene practices at home, addressing a critical gap in care for this population. The intervention is designed to improve oral hygiene routines, which are often neglected, thereby potentially preventing further deterioration of oral health. By implementing this approach, the study seeks to demonstrate the long-term benefits of improved oral care for individuals living with mild dementia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with mild dementia and their care partners.

Not a fit: Patients with severe dementia or those who are unable to participate in oral hygiene practices may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to significant improvements in oral health and overall well-being for individuals with mild dementia.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in nursing homes have shown that routine oral hygiene care can significantly improve oral health for individuals with dementia, suggesting that this approach may be effective in community settings as well.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.