The importance of hospital dentistry: oral health status in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Objective: This research study aimed to evaluate the oral health status and the need for dental treatment in hospitalized patients, analyzing the importance of dentistry in hospitals. Therefore, the goal of this research study was to evaluate the oral health status, the need for dental intervention and the patient’s opinion about the importance of having dental surgeons in hospital settings. Methods: 103 hospitalized patients were evaluated considering the DMFT index, gingival condition, visible biofilm index, and the need for invasive dental treatment. Volunteers were also asked about their opinion considering the importance of dentistry in hospital settings. Results: 68.9% of volunteers were male subjects and 31.1% female subjects. The mean DMFT was 17.9 and 96.1% of subjects had their oral hygiene kit with when came to hospital, 97.1% of subjects stated that the presence of dental surgeons is necessary in the hospital setting and 63.1% of subjects presented poor biofilm removal. The need for invasive dental treatment was as follows: restorations (68.9%), extractions (40.8%), endodontics (23.3%), dental pain (26.2%) and presence of abscess (7,8%). Conclusion: Oral health and hygiene status of patients were classified as poor and most of patients showed the need for invasive dental treatment. The majority of patients reported that dental care is very important in hospitals settings.

Oral health status and dental care for hospitalized patients with facial fractures

“…Due to the discomfort from pathological changes after the hospitalization period, and changes in routine and habits (Sousa et al, 2014) many hospitalized patients neglect oral and body hygiene care, reducing the frequency of tooth brushing, which favors the creation of a favorable environment for the development and maturation of dental biofilm (Carrilho et al, 2011;Amaral et al, 2018).…”

“…Also, the average of 15.2 teeth lost in the age group from 51 to 60 years stands out, revealing that, over the years, the degree of edentulism increases, similar to the one in the literature, which suggests the worsening in oral health with advancing age (Carrilho et al, 2011). Consequently, Amaral et al (2018) in their clinical study, obtained an average DMFT of 17.9, with 1.95 decayed teeth, while 68.9% needed for restorative treatment, emphasizing the demand for oral health and the presence of the dental surgeon in the multi-professional teams to establish an oral care routine.…”

Assessment of the oral health condition of patients admitted to the wards of the Agreste Regional Hospital of Caruaru, PE

“…Na tabela 4 são evidenciados dados quanto à presença de lesões de tecido mole e de alterações periodontais, com destaque para a alta prevalência de indivíduos com presença de cálculo dentário. 17,9 . E, assim como outro estudo 12 , observou-se maior prevalência de "dentes perdidos", revelando que a atenção a saúde bucal ainda costuma ser mutiladora, e não reabilitadora.…”

“…Apesar de a maioria dos indivíduos participantes desta pesquisa informaram que realizam higienização bucal durante o internamento, reconhecendo assim a relação desta prática com o estado geral da saúde 9 , muitos negligenciam a adequada frequência de escovação dentária ao dia 26 , sobretudo entre os acima de 60 anos. Também entre estes há menor ida ao dentista e pior frequência troca de escovas dentais ao ano.…”

“…Estudos anteriores 8,9,30 somado aos resultados da pesquisa realizado no HRA, evidenciam a precariedade da condição de saúde bucal de pacientes internados e, mais uma vez, a necessidade do Cirurgião Dentista concomitantemente a internação, objetivando o intervenção odontológica de através de procedimentos promoção à saúde, prevenção de doenças e tratamentos odontológicos no ambiente hospitalar. Promovendo uma recuperação mais rápida e melhor qualidade de vida ao paciente internado.…”