Oral care in the ICU as an efficient health promotion strategy for geriatric patients: a critical analysis
Oral care in the ICU as an efficient health promotion strategy for geriatric patients: a critical analysis
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594852417091
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Palavras-chave: Idoso fragilizado; Odontogeriatria; Equipe Hospitalar de Odontologia; Unidades de Terapia Intensiva; Hospitalização; Gerontologia
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Keywords: Frail Elderly; Geriatric dentistry; Dental Staff, Hospital; Intensive Care Units; Hospitalization; Gerontology
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Abstract: The geriatric population constitutes a significant fraction of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across various healthcare infrastructures. The complexity of prevalent medical conditions requires oral health professionals to possess competencies in geriatric dentistry and hospital dentistry to effectively meet the needs of these elderly patients. Rigorous oral hygiene protocols are essential to promote health in hospital settings, reducing complications associated with prolonged hospitalization. The absence of these protocols can lead to the proliferation of dental biofilm on prostheses and the dorsum of the tongue, increasing hospitalization time, healthcare costs, and mortality. The inclusion of a specialized dental team is crucial for maintaining the oral health of the elderly, integrating educational, preventive, and interventional methods. Interventions such as the prophylactic use of chlorhexidine and photodynamic therapy (laser therapy) are effective in oral disinfection. The implementation of multidisciplinary strategies to manage specific problems, such as dental infection foci, inflammatory processes, pain, oral lesions, xerostomia, and sialorrhea, is fundamental to improving the health outcomes of these frail patients.
- Alexandre Franco Miranda
- Maria Fernanda de Souza Santana
- Giovanna Louly Caixe El Haje