Mealtime Management Case Study: When Dentures Are Missing
Supporting safe mealtimes requires consistent systems, staff awareness, and clear processes.
This case study is designed to prompt reflection on how effectively mealtime management is implemented in practice.
Case Example
A resident in your facility:
was previously managing an IDDSI Level 6 (Soft and Bite-Sized) diet
has recently lost their dentures
is now observed to have difficulty chewing during meals
is leaving food unfinished or taking significantly longer to eat
These changes have been noted across different staff and shifts.
What This Could Mean
These changes may indicate that the resident’s current diet is no longer appropriate.
Loss of dentures can significantly impact a person’s ability to chew and break down food into swallow-ready pieces. Without effective chewing, there may be an increased risk during mealtimes. Ongoing changes should be observed, documented, and followed up appropriately, including referral to a speech pathologist for review.
Key Questions to Consider
From a mealtime management perspective:
Have the changes in chewing ability been documented?
Has the loss of dentures been communicated across the team?
Is the current diet still appropriate for the resident’s needs?
Has a referral to a speech pathologist been made?
Are all staff aware of how to support the resident during meals in the meantime?
Is there a clear process for managing changes in oral function?
System Reflection
This scenario raises broader questions at a system level:
How does your facility identify and respond to changes in residents’ oral function and oral health?
Are systems in place to communicate changes such as missing dentures across shifts?
Is there a clear pathway for timely referral and review?
Why This Matters
Changes such as missing dentures, can directly impact a resident’s ability to manage their current diet.
Without timely identification and response, there may be a mismatch between the resident’s needs and what is being provided, affecting both safety and intake.
A structured approach to mealtime management supports early identification and appropriate intervention.
Final Reflection
If a situation like this occurred in your facility:
Would it be identified early?
Would it be escalated appropriately?
Would the response be consistent across your team?
Effective mealtime management relies on systems that support early identification, communication, and timely review when changes occur.
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