Perceptions and experience of rural older people in oral health management in China: a qualitative study

Abstract Background To explore the perceptions and experience of oral health management among rural older people in China. Methods Qualitative methodologies were used in this study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thirteen older adults in rural areas were purposively sampled at two metropolitan hospitals in Hunan, China. The data were transcribed and thematically analyzed, and MAXQDA software was used to assist with coding. Results Three overarching major themes and ten sub‑themes capturing the perceptions and experience of oral health management among rural older people were identified. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis: oral health cognitive bias, poor management behaviors, and limited oral health services. Oral health management as a whole is negative, oral health behaviors are poor, oral health service utilization is limited. Conclusions Based on these findings, there is great scope here for improving the current status of oral health for rural older people around awareness, behavior, and access. Oral health education, improved oral health services and primary oral health promotion are warranted.