“Dental Care Is Not My Priority”: A Descriptive Qualitative Study of Experiences and Support Needs for Oral Health Self-Care in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Key Points

• To explore the experiences and support needs for oral health self-care among older adults with type 2 diabetes.
• Conducted qualitative interviews with older adults
• Analyzed participants' experiences regarding oral health care
• Identified themes related to support and education needs
• Participants reported oral health as a low priority in diabetes management
• Suggested need for culturally appropriate oral health support
• Proposed integration of oral care into diabetes management routines