title: Developing and implementing an oral care policy and assessment tool.
abstract: Oral hygiene is an essential aspect of nursing care. Poor oral care results in patients experiencing pain and discomfort, puts individuals at risk of nutritional deficiency and infection, and has an adverse effect on quality of life. This article describes how an oral care policy and assessment tool were updated to ensure the implementation of evidence-based practice at one hospital in the Republic of Ireland.
authors.affiliation: Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. Michelle.Stout@hse.ie
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Orla
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Goulding
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D011788:Quality of Life