It has been shown that poor oral health, lack of oral care, dysphagia and malnutrition are common among elderly persons living in special accommodations. All these factors are inter-related and have important impact on quality of life. Aims: The aims of the present study were to (1) describe oral health and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) as well as the prevalence of dysphagia and eating difficulties among elderly people in short-term accommodations (2) describe perceived care quality related to oral health and eating, (3) evaluate a training program for dysphagia. Methods: In four Swedish counties 320 patients in 30 short-term accommodations were studied by specially trained dental hygienists (RDH), after giving informed consent. Ethical approval has been given. Instruments measuring OHRQoL, oral health, perception of care quality, swallowing capacity and eating ability (OHIP-14, ROAG, QPP, SCT, MEONF-II, SWAL-QoL) were used. Patients with dysphagia were either invited to a 5 weeks training program using an oral screen, IQoro®, or to a control group (40 in each group), comprising follow-up at 5 weeks and 6 months. Results: Data collection is still ongoing for the 6-month follow-up. Preliminary results shows that mean age for the 320 patients was 82 years, 180 women (57%). 294 (91%) were native Swedes and 24 (8%) came from another European country. Physical condition was perceived good or fairly good by 155 (48%) participants, oral health was perceived good or fairly good by 212 (66%), oral hygiene was assessed by RDH as being poor for 156 (49%). 87 (27%) had swollen and bleeding gums, 53 (17%) had red and blistered oral mucosa. 210 (66%) participants perceived that they were given the support they needed at mealtimes but only 68 (22%) received support with daily oral care. Clinical signs of nutritional risk was identified in 80 (25%) participants and 167 (54%) had a swallowing capacity less than 10 ml/sec. Mean value for OHRQoL measured by OHIP-14 was 7.66, no gender differences were observed. Having dysphagia affected OHRQoL to the worse, p<0.00. Conclusion: There was a discrepancy between participant’s perceptions and the assessments made by RDH, with the latter showing worse results. While being in a state of dependency almost half of the participants perceived their physical condition as good or fairly good and the same applies with regard to oral health. Although half of the study group had poor oral hygiene, the majority managed their oral hygiene by themselves.