A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of professional oral care by dental hygienists.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to compare professional oral care (POC) by a dental hygienist with tooth brushing and mouth rinsing by patients themselves according to the instructions of a nurse (control).


METHODS
Forty patients were randomly assigned to either the POC group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The presence of plaque and bacteria was assessed clinically.


RESULTS
One patient in the POC group and three patients in the control group dropped out because of exacerbation of underlying disease or death. Plaque control record scores were significantly lower in the POC group than in the control group on the fifth hospital day and the day of discharge. There was no significant difference between the groups in the detection rate of Candida species; and nosocomial pathogens on either day.


CONCLUSIONS
Professional oral care by a dental hygienist is more effective than tooth brushing and mouth rinsing by patients themselves according to the instructions of a nurse.
Sato
T
T
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan. tsato@saitama-med.ac.jp
Abe
T
T
Ichikawa
M
M
Fukushima
Y
Y
Nakamoto
N
N
Koshikiya
N
N
Kobayashi
A
A
Yoda
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires