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BACKGROUND Oral function deteriorates easily during the acute phase of cerebral stroke. Therefore, oral healthcare involving a transdisciplinary approach consisting of dental and medical professionals might be important, but has not been studied in detail. OBJECTIVE This study assessed the oral health status of patients with cerebral stroke in the acute phase, with the aim of elucidating the efficacy of collaborative, transdisciplinary oral healthcare involving dentists, dental hygienists, nurses, and speech therapists. METHODS The participants were 115 consecutive acute cerebral stroke patients, who received oral healthcare while hospitalized at the university hospital. Their oral health status was assessed using the oral health assessment tool (OHAT) on admission and discharge. RESULTS Patients with acute cerebral stroke had high OHAT scores on admission, meaning poor oral health status. The collaborative oral healthcare resulted in significant decrease of OHAT scores at discharge, indicative of the improvement of oral health status. Multivariate analysis identified OHAT score for tongue, dentures, and oral cleanliness on admission as the significant variables associated with poor oral health status at discharge. CONCLUSIONS Thus, the oral health of cerebral stroke patients in the acute phase can be improved by implementing transdisciplinary collaboration of medical and dental professionals. Particularly, patients with problems pertaining to the tongue, dentures, and oral cleanliness as revealed through OHAT on admission may require more intensive intervention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.