Aim: There is an essential need to bridge the know-do gap in terms of oral-health-care for frail older people; while there are evidence based guidelines readily available, these guidelines are not altogether implemented in long-term-care (LTC) for older people. Facilitating knowledge translation has been found a complex undertaking, encompassing for example tailoring of evidence in relation to the specific context, considering the barriers and strengths of each setting. While managers and leaders have been found to influence implementation, studies focusing strategies to support the managers have only recently been launched. The aim of this pilot study in Swedish LTC is to support managers in facilitating implementation of evidence-based oral-care guidelines. Methods: Oral-health and knowledge translation experts provided a three month support programme for five managers in four LTC units, including knowledge of national guidelines tailored to LTC, and guidance for the managers on how to collate and execute guideline implementation plans, considering their behaviours, attitudes and actions as leaders in facilitating guideline implementation, underpinned by Gifford’s Model of Leadership. Oral-health measures were collected before and after the intervention, along with managers and staff experience. Results: Although the older people residing in the LTC units mainly had individual care plans for their oral care, and these aligned with the national guidelines, the oral care routines applied varied considerably. The managers were eager to support guideline implementation, and suggested that the intervention programme sustained their ambition. However, unclear roles and urgent everyday issues took its toll, leaving limited opportunities for managers to engage. Conclusions: Implementation of evidence based oral health-care guidelines requires support from primary leaders. Yet, they themselves need to be supported by the context, including top level management as well as staff, and all stakeholders involved in oral care issues need to be engaged.