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

Lloyd, Timothy Edwin, Frost, Paul John and Rees, Jeremy Simon 2011. A pilot audit of oral health in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 12 (3) , pp. 114-120.

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Dentistry
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Oral health status ; Critical care ; Mechanically ventilation
Publisher:	Stephen Hancocks Ltd
ISSN:	1470-8558
Last Modified:	08 May 2022 06:05
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/34060

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