Oral care practices for patients in Intensive Care Units: A pilot survey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of knowledge and difficulties concerning hospitalized patients regarding preventive oral health measures among professionals working in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 71 health professionals working in the ICU. A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the methods used, frequency, and attitude toward oral care provided to patients in Brazilian ICUs. The variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages). A one-sample t-test between proportions was used to assess significant differences between percentages. t-statistics were considered statistically significant for P < 0.05. Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple testing.


RESULTS
Most participants were nursing professionals (80.3%) working 12-h shifts in the ICU (70.4%); about 87.3% and 66.2% reported having knowledge about coated tongue and nosocomial pneumonia, respectively (P < 0.05). Most reported using spatulas, gauze, and toothbrushes (49.3%) or only toothbrushes (28.2%) with 0.12% chlorhexidine (49.3%) to sanitize the oral cavity of ICU patients (P < 0.01). Most professionals felt that adequate time was available to provide oral care to ICU patients and that oral care was a priority for mechanically ventilated patients (80.3% and 83.1%, respectively, P < 0.05). However, most professionals (56.4%) reported feeling that the oral cavity was difficult to clean (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The survey results suggest that additional education is necessary to increase awareness among ICU professionals of the association between dental plaque and systemic conditions of patients, to standardize oral care protocols, and to promote the oral health of patients in ICUs.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Post Graduation, Program in Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brazil; Department of Dentistry for Special Patients, Geriatric and Hospital Dentistry, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brazil.
Alexandre Franco
AF
Miranda
Department of Dentistry for Special Patients, Geriatric and Hospital Dentistry, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brazil.
Renata Monteiro
RM
de Paula
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Post Graduation, Program in Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brazil.
Cinthia Gonçalves Barbosa
CG
de Castro Piau
Department of Periodontology, State University of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.
Priscila Paganini
PP
Costa
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Post Graduation, Program in Health Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brazil.
Ana Cristina Barreto
AC
Bezerra
Dental hygiene; Intensive Care Unit; education; hospital dental services; nursing services; oral care; oral health; ventilator-associated pneumonia