title: Evaluation of different methods for removing oral biofilm in patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aimed to evaluate the different methods for removing oral biofilm in combination with 0.12% chlorhexidine, in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the General University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initially, the patients were included in the study and underwent periodontal evaluation by means of the visible plaque index (VPI) and gingival bleeding index (GBI). The removal of visible biofilm, by a professional, was carried out using a toothbrush and dental floss, followed by the application of a 0.12% chlorhexidine solution. The patients were included in this randomized and controlled study into four groups (total n = 48), as follows: Chlorhexidine and gauze 12/12 h; chlorhexidine and gauze 24/24 h; chlorhexidine and brushing 12/12 h; chlorhexidine and brushing 24/24 h. The patients underwent the biofilm removal protocol for 7 days and then were subjected to a new clinical evaluation as to VPI and GBI. Data analysis was performed through stratification and arrangement of the records, in order to carry out the associations with health indicators used in the study, and the statistical tests used were Kappa and t-test for independent and paired samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A decrease in the VPI and GBI values when comparing baseline to the final evaluation for all groups was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the methodology, it was possible to concluded that chlorhexidine associated with the mechanical action of the toothbrush or gauze in the times 12 h and 24 h in the ICU environment presented the same results as regards amount of visible biofilm. How to cite the article: Oliveira MS, Borges AH, Mattos FZ, Semenoff TA, Segundo AS, Tonetto MR, Bandeca MC, Porto AN. Evaluation of different methods for removing oral biofilm in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(3):61-4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Sonia
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate in Integrated Dental Science, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alvaro Henrique
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Zanol
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Mattos
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate in Integrated Dental Science, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tereza Aparecida Della Vedove
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Semenoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate in Integrated Dental Science, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alex Semenoff
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Segundo
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate in Integrated Dental Science, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mateus Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tonetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate in Integrated Dental Science, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Matheus Coêlho
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bandeca
authors.affiliation: Department of Post-Graduate in Integrated Dental Science, University of Cuiaba, MT, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Nogueira
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Porto
keywords: Chlorhexidine; dental plaque; intensive care; oral hygiene
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