Mouth Care Matters

What is Mouth Care Matters?
Mouth Care Matters (MCM) was a Health Education England initiative aimed at improving the oral health of hospital patients through staff training and education. Its core aim is to empower healthcare teams to identify patients needing support with mouth care and to deliver that care safely and compassionately.

Launched in 2015 at East Surrey Hospital by a Consultant in Special Care Dentistry, the project embedded dental care professionals on hospital wards to observe issues and develop practical solutions. In 2016/17, it was expanded to 12 NHS Trusts across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, each supported by dedicated funding to employ a MCM Lead. The success of this rollout led to national delivery, with MCM training reaching over 100 Trusts across England to date.

Why Does Mouth Care Matter?
Mouth care is a fundamental aspect of patient care that has historically been neglected. Poor oral health in hospital is associated with:

Increased risk of hospital-acquired infections (e.g., pneumonia)
Poor nutrition and hydration
Prolonged hospital stays and higher care costs
Reduced ability to communicate, eat, and maintain dignity
Oral health is vital for overall well-being and is an essential part of compassionate, person-centred care.

Core Themes of Mouth Care Matters
MCM is built on four pillars:

Knowledge – Understanding the links between oral and general health
Skills – Training in mouth care techniques and oral assessments
Access – Ensuring availability of essential tools (e.g., toothbrushes, toothpaste, dry mouth products)
Support – From dental professionals and trained leads when needed
Who is Responsible for Mouth Care?
Mouth care is everyone’s responsibility.
All healthcare workers—from porters to nurses, hostesses to consultants—can play a role. Simple actions like asking about dentures during transfers or reporting concerns about eating can ensure patients get timely help.

How Can You Make a Difference?
Whether you are a CEO funding a Mouth Care Specialist or a HCA leading ward-based change, everyone has a part to play. Start small—change takes time. The MCM team offers a free Guide and Toolkit to help implement the programme step-by-step, covering assessments, documentation, and common oral conditions.

What Are the Benefits of MCM?

Improved patient care – better comfort, dignity, and health outcomes
Empowered staff – increased knowledge and confidence in delivering care
Financial savings – economic evaluations show £2.66 saved for every £1 invested
Positive feedback – from both staff and families of patients
“I’ve been a nursing assistant for 10 years and never had mouth care training before. Now I know how to clean a dry mouth properly and help prevent pneumonia.”
— Nursing Assistant
“The mouth care made such a difference to my father’s comfort in his final days.”
— Patient's daughter
Find Out More
Visit the site to access the full range of resources and implementation materials.