Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2011
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
12
Issue:
3

A pilot audit of oral health in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients

Aim and objectives: There is increasing awareness among Intensivists that poor oral hygiene may be associated with ventilator associated pneumonia in intubated patients. The aim of this pilot audit was to assess the oral health status of mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. The adherence of intensive care nursing staff to local guidelines for the delivery of oral care was also assessed. Design: Ten patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were examined during an eight-week period. Oral health on admission was assessed using DMFT scores, a plaque index, BPE and periodontal probing depth. Oral health was also assessed daily following oral care by nursing staff up to the point of extubation. Results: All patients showed evidence of poor dental health. Half of the sample had untreated decay and seven patients had evidence of moderate to severe periodontal disease. Simple oral hygiene measures carried out by ICU nursing staff generally improved oral health. Conclusions: This audit highlighted the poor oral health status of patients on admission to the ICU. It also highlighted the vital role of nursing staff in delivering daily routine oral hygiene measures.

Key words: Oral health status, critical care, mechanically ventilation

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
114
Page End
120
Authors
T E Lloyd, P J Frost, J S Rees

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  1. Diary Dates 2011-2012
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  1. Editorial - Paradigm shifts and the ICF model
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  1. Evaluation of noncavitated and cavitated carious lesions using the International Caries Detection Assessment System (ICDAS II) and oral hygiene in Thai students with disabilities
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  1. The use of applied tension to manage orthodontic extractions in Blood-Injury-Injection Phobia: a case report
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  1. Dental treatment for a patient with motor neurone disease completed under total intravenous anaesthesia: a case report
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  1. A case report of the dental management of a patient with Sotos syndrome
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  1. Solitary median maxillary central incisor in two healthy siblings: case report
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