The role of speech-language pathologists in assessing and managing oral frailty in older adults: A scoping review

PURPOSE: Oral frailty, a construct established in 2018, requires further research to inform theory, assessment, and management. With guidelines either lacking or still emerging across professions, understanding the role of speech-language pathologists is essential for coordinated multidisciplinary care. METHOD: Arksey & O'Malley's scoping review framework was utilised to identify, evaluate, and summarise studies describing the role of speech-language pathologists, their scope of practice, and tools and processes associated with oral frailty. RESULT: Ten studies were included, indirectly discussing, but not clearly defining, the role of speech-language pathologists, either individually or within a multidisciplinary team in providing oral frailty care. Speech-language pathologists play a role in assessment and management of oral frailty associated with dysphagia, sarcopenia, aspiration pneumonia, tongue pressure, and articulatory motor skill in acute, sub-acute, and community settings. CONCLUSION: There is implicit acknowledgement of speech-language pathologists' role in oral frailty. However, clear clinical guidelines and protocols outlining their involvement in assessment and management of oral frailty are limited. Further research is warranted to strengthen understanding of speech-language pathology scope of practice related to oral frailty. Enhanced education, advocacy, interprofessional training, and resource development may improve outcomes for older adults experiencing oral frailty.