This study evaluated the effects of an oral function training program on cervical active range of motion in community-dwelling older adults. The participants were 65 older adults (age≥65 years) who were divided into two groups (oral intervention and control groups). All 65 subjects participated in a physical function improvement program. The oral intervention group (n=30) also performed orofacial myofunctional exercise. The program was performed for 30 min twice per month, for 3 months. The following were assessed in both groups at the baseline: age, sex, body mass index, a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale for the locomotive syndrome risk test, number of remaining teeth, denture use, and cervical active range of motion. A follow-up examination was conducted after 3 months. Improvement in cervical active range of motion between the baseline and follow-up examination was compared between the groups. In the oral intervention group, a significant difference was found between the baseline and follow-up examination for all cervical active ranges of motion (p<0.05). In the oral intervention group, there was a significant difference between the baseline and follow-up examination (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between oral intervention and control groups regarding the amount of change in all cervical active ranges of motion except for flexion (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis performed after controlling for age and sex revealed that the oral function intervention program had a significant positive effect on extension, lateral flexion, and rotation (odds ratio=7.23–18.52, p<0.05).

 For community-dwelling older adults, a 3-month oral function training program might have a significant effect on cervical active range of motion.

 Perioperative oral management began receiving coverage by the Japanese medical insurance system approximately 8 years ago, and the status of implementation at participating hospitals has been examined by questionnaire surveys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the view of perioperative oral management of dental hygienists working in those hospitals and determine related factors. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was developed and sent by mail to 30 facilities between January 2018 and September 2019. The question items were regarding workplace and workstyle issues, quality of perioperative oral management, and number of patients treated.

 Twenty-seven of those facilities returned answered questionnaires (recovery rate: 90.0%), which included valid responses from 116 dental hygienists. The percentage of those who answered that there was a shortage of dental hygienists engaged in perioperative oral management was high (70.7%) regardless of the type of hospital, presence or absence of an independent department, or number of patients receiving treatment. Based on score plots of the three components extracted by principal component analysis, the view that there was a lack of dental hygienists was examined. Those who noted a shortage showed a tendency to have several dental hygienists in their group who concurrently performed perioperative oral management as well as other tasks. Additionally, they tended to have a low level of perioperative oral management activity and a few problems related to implementation of such management.

 The results of this study indicate that dental hygienists involved in the management of perioperative oral function cases consider that the number of dental hygienists is insufficient. Furthermore, the findings suggest that factors influencing the view that there are insufficient numbers of dental hygienists are not only internal and associated with dentistry, but also such external factors as implementation of a perioperative oral management system and a sufficient environment for support, such as medical departments, hospitals, and local dental clinics.

 Dental caries is considered to be caused by not only personal factors but also social circumstances. This study was conducted to examine the relationships of dental caries and tooth brushing habits in fifth-grade elementary school children with their family and living conditions. In 2017, Saitama Prefectural Government conducted a survey of local residents regarding their living conditions. Among the participating individuals, the responses of 3,716 sets of parents and children were used for analysis. To determine significant factors correlated with dental caries and tooth brushing habits in children, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis results were used.

 The findings showed the significant correlation of a the higher number of dental caries or the absence of a tooth brushing habit in children with difficulty in paying lifeline bills, lack of other individuals to trust in the case of an emergency, and absence of those to ask for advice regarding disciplining children. In addition, parenting attitudes such as infrequent praise, concerns about dental caries or stained teeth, skipping of breakfast, and an unbalanced diet were also associated. These findings suggest that there is a risk of harm to children's health depending on the family situation where they grow up and parent-child interactions.

 Therefore, when addressing dental caries and tooth brushing habits of children in the upper grades of elementary school, it is necessary to provide health education that fosters a sense of values and disciplined behavior, which encourages children to think about their own health and take care of their teeth and body, considering these influences.

 The aim of the present study was to clarify the concept of oral care in nursing practice at hospitals.

 A review of articles published between 1971 and 2020 was conducted using four databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Ichushi-Web. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) published from 1971–2020 July, (b) having the keywords of “oral care” and “nurse” in titles or abstracts, and (c) describing the nursing practice of oral care for adult patients at hospitals. Concept analysis was based on Rodgers’ evolutionary method, and 39 articles selected from the relevant literature revealed the definition of oral care in nursing practice at hospitals.

 The attribute items were observation and assessment of the oral cavity, patient education, maintenance of oral hygiene, denture care, maintenance of moist oral condition, documentation, and promotion of multiprofessional collaboration. The items selected for antecedents were 5 items, such as nurses’ status and education training for nurses. The items selected for consequences were 7 items, such as prevention of microbial infection, prevention of oral complications, and maintenance of quality of life. Clarifying the concept of oral care in nursing practice at hospitals may facilitate nurses’ understanding; thus, effective strategic plans or programs to promote oral care by nurses can be further developed.