title: Oral health of patients under short hospitalization period: observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of hospitalization on the oral health status of individuals hospitalized for a short period of time.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational study of hospitalized patients. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) was measured at baseline (T0 - first 24 h of hospital admission), and at 3 (T1), 7 (T2), 14 (T3) days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and sixty-two patients were examined at baseline (T0), 35 examined at 3 days (T1), 23 at 7 days (T2) and 16 at 14 days (T3). The main reason for loss of patients was hospital discharge. The mean PI increased at T1 (0.97-1.21; p < 0.001), at T2 (1.06-1.30; p < 0.007) and at T3 (1.19-1.44; p < 0.03). Gingival index (GI) increased at T2 (0.74-0.96; p < 0.04) and at T3 (0.74-0.96; p < 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral health, assessed through PI and GI, deteriorates after a short period of hospitalization.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduation Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas L A
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Wagner L S
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: e Silva Filho
authors.forename: Regina F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moita Neto
authors.forename: Raimundo R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Prado Junior
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000145:classification; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007297:Inpatients; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012923:Social Class; D014099:Toothbrushing
keywords: hospitalization; inpatients; oral health