Table 1 Themes and categories summarizing the perceptions of the researchers while collecting epidemiologic data on the oral health of older people living in long-term care facilities (LTCF)

Social role played by LTCFs

Institutional context

Ambience of LTCFs

Clinical-functional profile of older people living in LTCFs

Oral health of older people living in LTCFs

Access to oral care by older people living in LTCFs

Acceptance of LTCFs to participate

Aspects affecting the operationalization of the study

The impact of institutional routines on the research process

Data collection location and methods

Approaching the residents

Data collection oriented by the clinical-functional profile of older people

Respect for the autonomy of the residents

Communication with the residents

Caregiver’s knowledge